686 Dean Street, Brooklyn, NY 11238

At 686 Dean Street, a four-story old law tenement building constructed in 1931 and currently owned by Sheila Wallace, multiple concerning patterns have emerged, particularly regarding heating, safety systems, and maintenance compliance. Most notably, there have been recent recurring heat and hot water issues, with complaints filed in September 2024 resulting in violations, including an open Class C violation for inadequate hot water in Apartment 4.

The building is currently facing several open violations from a September 2024 inspection, including the absence of carbon monoxide detectors and smoke detectors in Apartment 4, as well as problems with self-closing doors and fire-retardant plaster in the 4th story public hall. There are also concerns about building access and maintenance compliance, with multiple open violations related to heating system access and bedbug reporting requirements. The building's maintenance history shows persistent infrastructure challenges, including a water supply issue in October 2020, heating problems in January 2021, and a slow water leak complaint in August 2021.

While rodent inspections have shown some variability, with rat activity noted in May and August 2024, the most recent inspection in May 2025 reported a passed result. A complaint investigation in March 2023 regarding work without a permit resulted in access denial during inspection. The property has experienced multiple inspection-related access issues, with HPD unable to gain entry during several inspections, including heat/hot water complaints in September 2024 and a plumbing complaint in October 2020.