171 New York Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11216

171 New York Avenue is an 8-unit, 3-story residential building in Crown Heights, constructed in 1882 and currently owned by James McPherson. The property has experienced recurring heat and hot water issues, with multiple emergency complaints between 2022 and 2024, including a recent building-wide heating complaint in October 2024 that could not be verified due to access issues.

The building has had persistent lighting problems, as evidenced by three separate electricity-related complaints in late 2023. Health and safety concerns are significant, with active rodent control efforts documented throughout 2025, including multiple bait applications and recent rat activity findings in January, February, and November 2024, as well as April 2024. The building currently faces several open violations requiring attention, including failure to file multiple years' worth of required external low-pressure inspections from 2019 through 2023, and outstanding violations related to plaster and paint conditions in public areas and door repairs.

In December 2022, violations were documented regarding inadequate heat and water supply in Apartment 10, though some violations from that inspection have since been closed. The property has also maintained an active rodent treatment program, with inspection findings consistently showing rat activity throughout 2024 and 2025, despite multiple bait applications. While some issues have been resolved through inspections or compliance actions, including a mold complaint in early 2022 and various safety repairs, many violations remain open as of the most recent inspections, particularly concerning building systems maintenance and pest control compliance.