686 Washington Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11238

The four-story, seven-unit Old Law Tenement building at 686 Washington Avenue, owned by Honor Ramsey, has faced significant maintenance challenges in recent years, particularly in 2024. Most concerning is an emergency heat and hot water complaint from November 2024 affecting the entire building, though inspection access was not granted to verify the issue.

A cluster of complaints was submitted in June 2024, including concerns about pests, fire escape safety, multiple window problems, and various interior maintenance issues such as flooring, ceiling, and cabinet concerns. While these complaints were ultimately closed due to lack of inspection access, they preceded the building receiving multiple Housing Maintenance Code violations in June 2024, including open violations for defective fire escape ladder adjustment, window frame issues in apartments 4 and 7, various window counterbalance problems, plumbing repairs needed in apartment 7, and concerns about a fire-retardant material in the fourth-story public hall ceiling. The building has a documented history of rodent activity, with multiple inspections showing rat presence between 2019 and 2025, including failed inspections in 2025 and 2024, and initial inspections in 2023 showing rat activity.

Specific violations were issued in June 2024 regarding fire safety, window repairs, water fixtures, and intercom system functionality, all categorized as Class B violations requiring attention. The persistent pest control concerns are particularly notable, with multiple inspections reporting rat activity and bait application over several years. While some complaints have been closed and inspections completed, many recent issues, particularly the November 2024 heat/hot water complaint, suggest ongoing maintenance challenges within the building.