294 Willoughby Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11205

The 16-unit, 4-story tenement building at 294 Willoughby Avenue, owned by Sam Weinberg and constructed in 1905, has experienced persistent maintenance and habitability challenges over the past two years. Most concerning are recurring issues with heat and hot water systems, with multiple emergency complaints documented between December 2023 and February 2024, affecting the entire building. The property has also experienced significant plumbing problems, including water supply issues and heavy flow leaks, with various complaints in 2024 and 2025 that inspectors were often unable to access for verification.

Recent inspections have revealed Class C violations relating to self-closing doors in public areas and apartment 1B, as well as maintaining adequate heat and hot water in apartment 2C. The building's maintenance history shows ongoing pest control measures, including multiple baiting operations for rodent activity between 2024 and 2025, though the most recent June 2025 inspection resulted in a "Passed" status. Notably, the property has consistently reported zero bedbug infestations in annual reporting from 2021 through 2025.

While some building systems violations remain unresolved, including two active violations from June 2023 regarding low-pressure inspections, the building has generally demonstrated compliance with most housing maintenance code violations through timely corrections. The Department of Housing Preservation and Development has responded to numerous tenant complaints, though access issues have sometimes prevented inspections in 2024 and 2025. The property has also had occasional issues with interior maintenance, including plaster repair and paint requirements in apartment 1B.