550 Van Buren Street, Brooklyn, NY 11221

The 5-story, 8-unit tenement building at 550 Van Buren Street in Bedford-Stuyvesant, built in 1899 and currently owned by Cynthia Ramirez, has experienced several significant maintenance issues over the past few years. Most recently, in 2025, there were violations issued for unsanitary garbage/recycling storage conditions, and there is currently an open emergency complaint regarding pest issues. The building has a documented pattern of heat and hot water problems, particularly during November 2019 when multiple complaints were filed regarding insufficient heat and hot water throughout the building.

Additionally, there was a water leak incident in November 2019 involving heavy flow. The property has also faced infrastructure challenges, including violations for construction-related issues in 2019 and 2021, such as inadequate firestopping, exposed electrical wiring, and unauthorized work requiring permits, resulting in a $1,250 penalty in 2021. The building's maintenance history shows various other concerns including an electrical/gas range issue in 2023, periodic rodent activity (with the most recent inspections showing both passed and rat activity results between 2022 and 2025), and the need to file annual bedbug reports, though recent filings from 2024 indicate no infested units.

Multiple HPD violations and emergency complaints have been recorded, with varying access issues for inspections. The property appears to have undergone several permit processes between 2020 and 2021, with multiple permits issued for alteration and foundation work under job number 321597731. While some violations have been resolved, the building continues to show recurring maintenance challenges that affect both systems and sanitation aspects.