18 Kosciuszko Street, Brooklyn, NY 11205

This three-story, three-unit building at 18 Kosciuszko Street in Bedford-Stuyvesant, owned by Joe Fried, has experienced persistent maintenance challenges since at least 2022. Most notably, there has been an ongoing rodent infestation issue, with multiple confirmed instances of rat activity documented through inspections and service requests from late 2024 through 2025. The property has also faced recurring problems with garbage and recycling storage conditions, resulting in multiple violations and inspections by the Department of Housing Preservation and Development (HPD) between 2022 and 2025.

These unsanitary conditions have warranted both emergency and non-emergency response from HPD, with violations issued in May 2025. Additional maintenance concerns include a significant mold issue documented in July 2023 affecting the bathroom ceiling of Apartment 2, and various violations related to building safety requirements. The first-floor unit has a history of safety-related violations from 2016, including issues with carbon monoxide detection devices, smoke detectors, and hot water availability.

The building's recent history also reveals challenges with compliance reporting, including an active violation from 2021 regarding unauthorized modifications to the cellar space. While the property has maintained a bedbug-free record according to annual reporting requirements between 2021 and 2025, the persistent rodent problems and sanitation issues suggest ongoing challenges with building maintenance and resident comfort. The most recent inspections in 2025 continue to show evidence of rat activity, indicating that despite some remedial actions (as evidenced by multiple bait applications in late 2024), the rodent control efforts have not been fully successful.