515 Lafayette Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11205

The two-family house at 515 Lafayette Avenue in Bedford-Stuyvesant, owned by Joel Zupnick and built in 1899, has experienced multiple maintenance issues over recent years. Most notably, in 2025, there have been recurring problems with water-related issues, including heavy flow water leak complaints in March 2025 (which resulted in a violation for a defective boiler) and mold issues in February 2025, though HPD's inspection of the latter found no housing law violations. The building has also faced heat and hot water problems, particularly evident in early 2025 when two separate complaints were filed (one in January and another in February), with HPD unable to gain access to conduct inspections in some instances.

This pattern of heating system problems is not new, as similar complaints were made in 2020 and 2021, including one affecting the entire building. Additionally, there were flooring-related complaints in February 2021, though inspections found no violations. More recently, in March 2025, there were concerns about the building's certificate of occupancy, but the inspector was unable to gain access for verification.

The property's maintenance history shows a concerning pattern of recurring issues, particularly with heating systems, though it's worth noting that not all complaints resulted in violations. While some complaints have been promptly addressed, such as the flooring issues in 2021 and certain heat complaints, others have shown a pattern of inspection access problems. The most recent issues in 2025, including the boiler violation and water-related problems, suggest ongoing maintenance challenges, particularly with the building's heating and water systems.