575 Herkimer Street, Brooklyn, NY 11213

The 38-unit, 6-story building at 575 Herkimer Street in Bedford-Stuyvesant, built in 1965 and currently owned by Carlos Arujo, has experienced recurring maintenance issues and violations in recent years. Most notably, between May 30 and 31, 2025, there were multiple complaints logged regarding building-wide heat and hot water problems, unsanitary conditions, including pests, and various maintenance issues such as water leaks, ventilation system problems, and painting/plaster concerns on both walls and ceilings.

The building has active Environmental Control Board (ECB) violations from November 2024 related to significant structural and safety concerns, including cracks in the brick masonry, an approximately 20"x20" hole in apartment 2B's floor posing trip hazards, and obstructions on fire escape landings that impede exit passageways. Additional building safety issues have been documented, including boiler problems, elevator service concerns, and multiple Housing Maintenance Code violations related to missing or defective safety equipment in apartment 7C (including smoke and carbon monoxide detectors, and ventilation issues). The property has shown some improvement in pest management, with the most recent bedbug report from December 2024 showing no current infestations, following a single incident in 2023.

Regular rodent inspections from 2019 to 2025 have generally passed, with only two instances of rat activity noted in 2019. The building's owners have been found in violation of various safety and maintenance requirements over time, including failure to maintain the building's exterior walls, submit required inspection reports, and provide basic utilities. Recent service requests and maintenance code violations suggest ongoing challenges with heating systems, water issues, and general building upkeep, particularly regarding compliance with safety equipment requirements and building maintenance standards.