168 Patchen Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11221

168 Patchen Avenue is a two-family residential building in Bedford-Stuyvesant, owned by Florence Smith and constructed in 1915. The building has experienced recurring maintenance issues, particularly between 2019-2022, with multiple complaints regarding heat and hot water problems, plumbing issues, and unsanitary conditions.

Most notably, a series of heating and water supply emergencies were reported throughout 2021 and 2022, including multiple tenant complaints about insufficient heat/hot water and water supply problems. The property has also faced significant maintenance challenges in Apartment 2R, including open violations from March 2022 related to a lack of properly functioning hot water, leaky faucets, defective tiles, and missing carbon monoxide detectors. A substantial concern emerged in 2022 regarding potential illegal conversions of living space, with multiple violations issued for unauthorized rooming units in Apartment 2.

There was an Environmental Control Board violation filed against the owner for occupancy contrary to approved certificates of occupancy, involving illegal Class A apartment use in basement rooms and unauthorized gas range installation, which remains active with a penalty of $6,250. The building's pest control history shows consistent rodent activity between 2021-2022, though recent inspections in 2024 and 2025 have passed, suggesting improved conditions. While some maintenance issues have been addressed over time, as evidenced by reduced complaint frequency, several open violations and historical pattern of service requests warrant attention to the building's maintenance history.