242 Madison Street, Brooklyn, NY 11216

The four-story, eight-unit residential building at 242 Madison Street in Bedford-Stuyvesant, built in 1899 and currently owned by Prashanth Rayapudi, has experienced multiple maintenance challenges over the past two years. From August to November 2023, the building faced various issues including water leaks, ceiling problems, and unsanitary conditions with mold. More recently, from November 2023 through May 2024, there were recurring safety concerns with smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors, as well as electrical issues including inadequate lighting.

The building underwent inspections in early 2024 that revealed several violations requiring attention, including problems with the roof causing leaks in the 1st and 4th story public halls, damaged fire retardant plaster, and issues with the roof bulkhead door functionality. Three Environmental Control Board violations from January 2024 specifically addressed concerns about gas dryer connections in the cellar laundry area, though these were subsequently resolved. The property has a documented history of rat activity, with recent inspections in 2025 continuing to show this persistent issue, despite earlier bait applications in September 2023.

Between 2019 and 2020, there were significant concerns regarding unauthorized alterations to the building, including conversion of spaces and unsafe construction practices, though these violations were later resolved. Notably, the building has maintained a clean record in terms of bedbug infestations, with zero reported cases in the last five years of reporting periods. While many of the recent complaints were closed without violations being issued, the pattern of recurring safety and maintenance issues, particularly relating to basic systems like lighting and detection equipment, suggests ongoing challenges with building maintenance and resident safety.