689 Dekalb Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11216

The four-story, 1905 Old Law Tenement building at 689 Dekalb Avenue in Bedford-Stuyvesant, owned by Herminio Torres, has experienced various maintenance challenges over recent years. Most notably, there has been an ongoing rodent issue, with multiple inspections between 2023 and 2025 showing rat activity, though the most recent inspection in May 2025 passed compliance. The building has also faced significant heating system problems, particularly evident in 2018-2019 when violations were documented for inadequate heat supply in multiple apartments (1 and 3), and access issues to the heating system in the cellar.

Apartment 4 has had several specific violations requiring attention, including missing window guards, defective electrical outlet cover plates, issues with a closet door, and a self-closing door problem, though most of these were formally closed following necessary repairs. The building's recent history shows some improvement in certain areas. Bedbug reports have consistently shown zero infested or eradicated units over the past five reporting periods (2021-2024), indicating effective pest management in this regard.

A smoking violation was documented and closed in 2023, though this appears to be an isolated incident. The most recent housing maintenance inspections have generally shown compliance with most regulations, though the recurring rat activity inspections suggest ongoing challenges with pest control. The property has maintained regular annual bedbug reporting, with no recorded infestations or required treatments since 2021, and recent inspections have shown some improvement in overall maintenance compliance, particularly with respect to addressing previously noted violations.