160 Tompkins Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11206

The 2-story, 2-family house at 160 Tompkins Avenue in Bedford-Stuyvesant, owned by Winton Ellis, has experienced significant and ongoing maintenance issues throughout 2023-2025. Most notably, there have been recurring problems with heat and hot water, with violations documented in both 2024 and 2025 inspections of apartments 1 and 2B. The building has multiple open violations from December 2024 including damaged plaster and paint requirements in apartment 2B.

There are serious safety concerns as evidenced by recent complaints in May 2025 regarding inadequate heat and hot water, and earlier violations related to carbon monoxide detector requirements in 2023-2024. The building's maintenance history shows significant challenges with basic systems and safety features, including plumbing issues affecting toilets and bathtubs, flooring problems, and multiple unsanitary conditions involving pests, with most recent rat activity inspections in 2025 showing persistent infestations. There are also multiple Housing Maintenance Code violations, including inadequate heating and hot water supplies, and various building maintenance issues such as door frame problems and flooring concerns.

The building was previously subject to a vacate order due to fire damage in 2011, though it was subsequently found to be occupied against this order according to an active Department of Buildings violation with a penalty of $24,000. Additionally, there are unresolved ECB violations from June 2023 regarding improper stormwater drainage with a $6,250 penalty. While some violations have been closed, many remain open or were only temporarily addressed, suggesting ongoing maintenance challenges.