459 Willoughby Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11206

The three-story, three-unit building at 459 Willoughby Avenue in Bedford-Stuyvesant, owned by Joel Biner and constructed in 1899, has experienced several significant maintenance and safety issues in recent years. Most notably, there has been a pattern of emergency heating and plumbing complaints throughout 2021, including multiple reports of heat and hot water failures that required HPD intervention, though no violations were ultimately issued.

In 2024, the building faced serious safety concerns, with multiple tenant safety inspections resulting in "Oath Violation Served" dispositions, and Environmental Control Board violations including an active $25,000 penalty for failure to comply with previous orders, as well as a $12,500 violation for an unauthorized rear extension affecting egress. Additional violations were issued for electrical work and fire escape maintenance issues, with the building exhibiting rat activity in both 2024 and 2023 inspections, though a recent February 2025 inspection resulted in a passed status. The building's history also shows recurring issues with bedbug reporting requirements, with violations noted in 2021-2024 for failure to file annual reports, though the most recent filings from 2023-2024 indicate no infestation, eradication, or re-infestation.

The property has a history of plumbing issues dating back to 1989, with historical violations related to security features and television antenna placement. Inspections of the building's rodent presence have been generally favorable over the years, with most resulting in "Passed" reports until the recent active violations in 2024. The building's maintenance history suggests ongoing challenges with both basic building systems and regulatory compliance, particularly in terms of responding to and rectifying identified safety issues.