857 Putnam Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11221

857 Putnam Avenue is a 3-story, 2-family house built in 2008 in Bedford-Stuyvesant, currently owned by Viola Johnson. The property experienced a significant cluster of maintenance issues in late 2021, with multiple emergency complaints regarding heat/hot water, plumbing (specifically basin/sink issues), and electrical problems (no lighting) between November 30 and December 2, 2021. While all these complaints were ultimately closed, most were resolved without violations being issued after HPD inspections.

More concerning are the building code violations discovered in December 2021, including an illegal double cylinder key-operated lock on the front gate, unauthorized conversion of a private dwelling to multiple dwelling use, inadequate heat supply to the third-floor apartment, and issues related to an unauthorized Class "A" apartment in the cellar with improper plumbing fixtures and an electric range. The Department of Buildings received a complaint about illegal conversion in December 2021, though inspection attempts in September 2022 were unsuccessful. While there were no penalties imposed through the Environmental Control Board, records indicate unauthorized occupancy contrary to building records. The building has experienced recurring rodent issues, with rat activity noted in November and December 2022, followed by bait application in January 2023.

The most recent rodent inspection in July 2024 passed. Recent inspections since 2018 show a pattern of rodent control challenges, with compliance failures noted in December 2017 and August 2018, though subsequent inspections showed improvement with passing results. The building's maintenance history suggests persistent infrastructure challenges, particularly in heating and electrical systems, though many of these issues were addressed promptly when reported. The property should be monitored for any future maintenance issues, particularly regarding building code compliance and infrastructure systems.