169 New York Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11216

The three-story, eight-unit building at 169 New York Avenue in Crown Heights, owned by Lorraine Gayle and dating back to 1882, has experienced persistent maintenance challenges in recent years. The most pressing current issue appears to be an ongoing rodent problem, with multiple inspections and bait applications recorded throughout early 2025, and a compliance inspection in May 2025 confirming "Rat Activity." The building has also maintained a concerning pattern of utility-related issues, particularly in late 2023, when multiple emergency complaints about power outages, cooking gas problems, and inadequate heat/hot water were logged and resulted in violations.

These utilities problems continued with new violations, including insufficient hot water in Apartment 4, electrical wiring issues at the cellar meter panel, and various repairs needed in common areas. The property has several active violations that require attention, including a 2024 open violation for failing to file the 2023 external low pressure inspection, and multiple historical violations for not filing previous years' inspections dating back to 2018. Recent maintenance activities have been documented through regular rodent baiting, though inspections in 2024-2025 still showed rat activity.

Structural and safety concerns have been noted in violations regarding public hall stair treads, marble saddle repairs, and building entrance issues. While some violations have been closed after inspection, many remain open as of now, indicating ongoing maintenance requirements. The building's history shows recurring patterns of unsanitary conditions, electrical problems, and heating issues, suggesting potential challenges with building systems and maintenance responsiveness.