856 Willoughby Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11221

The 8-unit, 4-story building at 856 Willoughby Avenue in Bedford-Stuyvesant, owned by Steven Mackie, has experienced numerous maintenance issues in recent years, particularly in the past two years. The most concerning recent incidents include multiple complaints in November 2024 regarding heat and hot water issues, including unsanitary conditions related to pests and mold, though some inspections were unable to be completed due to access issues. The building has open violations as of August 2024, including active infestation concerns in apartment 2R and various repair needs such as defective mortar joints on exterior walls, electrical wiring issues, and plumbing concerns in apartment 1L.

The property has a documented history of heating system problems, with multiple HPD complaints about heat and hot water issues throughout 2024, and there are persistent concerns about electrical systems, with violations issued in 2024 for inadequate lighting and exposed wiring. The building's maintenance record shows a pattern of building systems issues, including a power outage in June 2023 and multiple heating system complaints. The Department of Buildings has issued several active violations regarding the failure to file external low pressure inspections from 2018-2023.

While the building has passed rodent inspections in 2024 and 2025, there have been some failures in previous years, with evidence of rat activity reported in 2022. The bedbug report from January 2024 shows no active infestations during the reporting period. The property has experienced various plumbing and sanitation issues, including complaints about toilets, water leaks, and unsanitary conditions, with many violations requiring repairs to bathrooms and common areas.