397 4th Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11215

The 6-unit, 3-story Old Law Tenement at 397 4th Avenue in Park Slope, owned by Charles Quimby and built in 1931, has experienced several significant pest management challenges over recent years. Most notably, in early 2020, there was a concerning cluster of rat sightings reported to the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH) between March 24-25, with one of these complaints resulting in identified violations requiring follow-up inspections.

The building underwent multiple rodent control measures in 2020, including several bait applications, though inspections during this period generally noted rat activity. A pattern of non-compliance with bedbug reporting requirements was observed between 2021-2024, with three separate violations recorded for failure to file the mandatory annual bedbug report under Housing Maintenance Code (HMC) § HMC, though these violations were subsequently closed. The building's more recent history suggests improved pest management, as indicated by the 2022 rodent inspection passing result and the absence of any reported rodent sightings since then.

The most recent bedbug reporting from July 2025 shows no current or previously infested units during the 2023-2024 reporting period, and the previous filings from April 2024, December 2022, and February 2022 also report zero infested or eradicated units. This pattern suggests effective management of both rodent and bedbug issues in more recent years, though it is worth noting the significant number of pest-related incidents recorded between 2019-2020 and the initial compliance issues regarding bedbug reporting requirements. The building's current status appears stable with respect to these specific pest management concerns, though historical patterns indicate they were once more prevalent.