529A Gates Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11216

The 4-story, 8-unit Old Law Tenement building at 529A Gates Avenue in Bedford-Stuyvesant, owned by Robyn Lucas and constructed in 1910, has experienced numerous maintenance and health-related issues in recent years. Most notably, the building has ongoing rodent problems, with a confirmed rat sighting reported to DOHMH in June 2025, following multiple instances of rat activity documented through inspections from 2023 to 2025.

The property has also faced significant violations in Apartment 4, which was cited in September 2024 for multiple issues including pest infestation (mice), malfunctioning ventilation systems in both the bathroom and kitchen, and various structural problems such as defective smoke and carbon monoxide detectors, loose cabinet fixtures, and floor damage. The building's maintenance history shows persistent challenges with filing required inspections, particularly regarding low-pressure inspections from 2018 through 2024, with active violations remaining open as of June 2025.

Additional environmental concerns have emerged, including issues with pigeon waste (October 2024) and multiple housing code violations related to door/window problems, flooring, ventilation systems, and general unsanitary conditions. While the building has maintained a zero-bedbug count in recent reporting periods, the combination of ongoing rodent activity, ventilation issues, and multiple outstanding violations suggests significant maintenance challenges. The property has undergone several health inspections by DOHMH with varying results, indicating some areas of concern for resident safety and comfort.