331 Tompkins Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11216

The two-family house at 331 Tompkins Avenue in Bedford-Stuyvesant, owned by Jay Gruen, is a 2-story building constructed in 1931, currently containing 4 units. The property has a concerning history of maintenance and regulatory issues, particularly related to heating and water systems. In early 2023, there was a reported water supply issue that resulted in an inspection attempt by HPD, though access was not granted.

Between January and February 2019, multiple complaints were filed regarding heat and hot water problems affecting both individual apartments and the entire building, with similar access issues during inspections. The building experienced significant maintenance concerns in 2019, including multiple complaints about plumbing issues (basins/sinks), window frames, and sanitary conditions like mold. A series of violations were documented in 2020 regarding safety concerns, including improper scuttle cover fastening, loose ladder issues, and eroded mortar joints on the front brick façade. The second story has been particularly problematic, with violations in 2019 documenting unauthorized occupancy of a converted unit and various maintenance issues including roof leaks affecting multiple locations in Apartment 2NDFL, which also had reported pest infestation problems.

The building underwent multiple emergency repairs in 2019, addressing issues with flooring, plaster, and safety systems like smoke detectors. Recent inspection records show passing results for rodent inspections in 2022, 2024, and 2025, though there were periods of reported rat activity in 2022. The property has maintained an active bedbug-free status in recent years, with three consecutive annual reports showing no infestations between 2021 and 2024. The most recent building records suggest improvements in some maintenance areas, though the persistent history of access issues during inspections and multiple recurring complaints raises concerns about building management responsiveness.