642 Lafayette Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11216

642 Lafayette Avenue is an 8-unit, 4-story New Law Tenement building constructed in 1931 in the Bedford-Stuyvesant neighborhood, currently owned by Ithak Katan. The building has experienced persistent rodent issues over the past few years, with multiple rat sightings and conditions attracting rodents reported between 2022 and 2024. Most recently, in 2025, inspections confirmed ongoing rat activity, despite multiple bait applications throughout 2024.

The building's maintenance history shows several significant violations and service requests. In 2018-2019, numerous violations were documented in apartment 4B, including issues with window guards, carbon monoxide and smoke detectors, broken floor tiles in kitchen and bathroom, defective wood floor repairs, and various plumbing and door frame problems, all of which were subsequently addressed and closed. The building has maintained an active record with the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, particularly regarding rodent control, with multiple inspections and treatments occurring throughout 2024-2025.

While there have been various other maintenance issues reported over the years, including problems with garbage/recycling storage and appliance concerns, these matters were generally resolved through official inspections and interventions. Notably, the building has maintained a bedbug-free status according to official reports from 2019 through 2024, with no confirmed infestations or re-infestations during this period. Despite the persistent rodent issues, the building has shown some responsiveness to maintenance requirements, as evidenced by the resolution of numerous violations and complaints when properly documented through official channels.