698 Willoughby Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11206

The four-story, 20-unit residential building at 698 Willoughby Avenue in Bedford-Stuyvesant, owned by Joel Brown, has experienced ongoing heating and safety system challenges in recent months, particularly during early 2025. The building has generated multiple emergency heat and hot water complaints between January and March 2025, with several requiring HPD inspections and resulting in violations. Notable safety concerns include multiple issues with smoke and carbon monoxide detectors in January 2025, though some of these inspections were incomplete.

The property has also faced pest management challenges, with violations for roach infestations recorded in apartments 3 and 11 in 2023-2024, along with a mold issue in apartment 3. While recent inspections during 2025 have shown improvement in rodent control, with one compliance inspection passing, previous years showed intermittent rat activity. The building's maintenance history shows concerted efforts to address violations when issued, with many being certified as corrected, including safety device repairs in apartment 11.

A rodent infestation report filed in June 2025 showed no active units, suggesting improvements in pest management. The property underwent several safety and maintenance inspections in 2024, revealing various issues including problems with plastered surfaces, window frames, and bathroom conditions in different units. The building's age (1905) and classification as a "New Law Tenement" suggest it has historically been subject to specific housing maintenance requirements under NYC regulations. While the property has maintained its bedbug-free status according to recent reports, the recurring heating system issues and safety concerns in early 2025 indicate ongoing maintenance challenges.