223 13th Street, Brooklyn, NY 11215

The 5-story, 25-unit residential building at 223 13th Street in South Slope, built in 1914, has experienced several significant maintenance and safety issues over the past five years. Most recently, in December 2023, the building received a violation for blocking fire escape egress with an air conditioning unit at the third-floor level, though this violation was resolved with no penalties imposed. The building has had ongoing concerns with heating and electrical systems, experiencing outages in January 2022, and multiple other maintenance issues were documented during a particularly problematic period in October 2019, including problems with flooring, water leaks, door frames, walls, and electrical systems.

Rodent activity has been a recurring issue, with inspections in 2022 confirming rat activity despite initial and follow-up inspections by the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene showing violations. The building has maintained a relatively good record regarding bedbugs, with only one reported case in late 2019 and no occurrences in the past five reporting periods from 2020 through 2024. The property has undergone various inspections and maintenance checks, including multiple rodent inspections showing persistent challenges with pest control, particularly in 2022 and 2021.

A comprehensive set of complaints was filed in October 2019, resulting in inspections and resolutions for various issues, including electrical wiring problems and mold concerns classified as emergencies. While many of these issues have been addressed and closed, the building's history shows a pattern of infrastructure and maintenance challenges that have required regular attention from multiple oversight agencies, including the Department of Building and Housing Preservation and Development. The most recent violation regarding fire escape obstruction and the history of rat activity suggest ongoing vigilance is required regarding building maintenance and safety compliance, though the lack of bedbug incidents in recent years is a positive sign of improved pest control measures.