498 Jefferson Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11221

The 10-unit, 4-story New Law Tenement at 498 Jefferson Avenue in Bedford-Stuyvesant, owned by David Goldhirsch, has experienced recurring heat and hot water issues over the past two years, with multiple emergency complaints filed through 311 complaining about inadequate heating system performance. Most notably, there are several open violations related to the building's heating system, including an inadequate heat supply to apartment 2B and locked access issues to the heating system in the cellar, as well as a concerning pattern of insufficient heat maintenance documented in complaint records from 2023-2025.

The building has also faced significant maintenance challenges, particularly in apartment 2B, which has documented water leak issues affecting both the kitchen and bathroom ceilings, as well as reports of roach infestation from June 2023. The property has numerous active Department of Buildings violations dating from 2018-2024 related to failure to file external low pressure inspections, and multiple rodent activity reports showing an ongoing pest control challenge, with the most recent inspection in June 2025 noting rat activity. Sanitation concerns have been recorded, including multiple unsanitary conditions related to garbage and recycling storage that required HPD intervention in 2024, though no violations were issued following their inspections.

While there were no reported bedbug infestations in the 2021-2022 reporting period, the building's overall maintenance record suggests persistent challenges with both heating systems and pest management. Recent building inspections have documented various conditions requiring attention, including encumbrances obstructing egress from fire escapes and issues with plastered surfaces and paint uniformity in apartment 2B. The most critical ongoing concerns appear to be related to the heating system and rodent activity, though many of the housing maintenance code violations from 2023-2024 remain open, indicating these issues have not yet been resolved through proper remediation or repair.