631 Halsey Street, Brooklyn, NY 11233

The three-story, 14-unit Old Law Tenement building at 631 Halsey Street in Bedford-Stuyvesant, owned by James Crawford and built in 1890, has experienced numerous significant maintenance and legal issues in recent years. Most notably, there are active violations alleging the illegal conversion of the property from its legally approved three-family dwelling status to contain 13 SRO units, with associated financial penalties totaling $37,500.

The building has multiple open violations related to bedbug reporting requirements, and in January 2023, serious safety violations were documented including illegal wire tampering at a first-story light fixture and missing smoke/carbon monoxide detection devices in Apartment 1SROO. Recent service requests in 2025 indicate continuing maintenance challenges, with multiple emergency complaints involving ceiling issues, plumbing (toilet), door, and various non-emergency repairs including flooring and appliance problems. The building has a history of utility and comfort-related issues, including a January 2023 power outage violation and a February 2021 heat/hot water complaint where inspectors were denied access for verification.

Rodent inspections have consistently passed between 2010 and 2025, though there were notable failures in 2010 for "Other Reasons." The property has faced multiple investigations regarding illegal hotel room operation and unauthorized unit conversions, with several inspection attempts resulting in access denials. The most recent building inspection records from 2024-2025 continue to show open violations regarding safety equipment requirements and occupancy issues, suggesting ongoing compliance challenges. The building's maintenance history reflects persistent issues with basic systems and safety compliance, though recent housing maintenance code violations appear to have been addressed through emergency work orders in early 2025.