23 Spencer Place, Brooklyn, NY 11216

23 Spencer Place is a 4-story, 8-unit Old Law Tenement building located in Bedford-Stuyvesant, built in 1930 and currently managed by owner Mayer Lefkowtz. The building has experienced persistent pest control challenges, particularly with rodent problems, as evidenced by multiple DOHMH complaints and inspections throughout 2023-2025, with the most recent inspections in July 2025 showing rat activity. The property has also faced significant maintenance issues, including multiple violations related to building systems.

In 2023, there were several power outages recorded in February and May, though no violations were issued upon inspection. More concerning are the emergency violations from March 2025, including issues with mold, pest infestations, and safety equipment like smoke and carbon monoxide detectors. Historical data shows a pattern of maintenance non-compliance, including a 2020 boiler violation and multiple failed inspection filings between 2018 and 2025, though many of these violations have since been dismissed.

The building has shown some responsiveness to pest control efforts, with bedbug reports in 2024 showing zero infested units, but ongoing rodent inspections indicate a continuing challenge with vermin control. Various housing maintenance code violations from 2023-2024 remain open or were recently closed, particularly affecting units 1R and 2R, which were cited for pest infestations. The property has undergone multiple inspection rounds, with inspections showing varying results from rat activity to bait application, indicating ongoing efforts to manage rodent presence. The building's maintenance history suggests a pattern of reactive rather than proactive management, with numerous complaints and violations requiring inspection and remediation, though recent inspections have occasionally resulted in the identification of several violations being upgraded or newly issued.