19 Spencer Place, Brooklyn, NY 11216

The 4-unit residential building at 19 Spencer Place in Bedford-Stuyvesant, owned by Shameem Chowdhury and constructed in 1899, has experienced recurring pest control challenges, particularly with rodent infestations, over the past two years. Most recently, rat activity was documented in 2025 in both June and July, continuing a pattern established since 2023 when bait was first applied to address the issue. The property has also faced significant maintenance and habitability concerns, as evidenced by multiple Housing Maintenance Code Violations and Complaints in late 2023 and 2024.

In December 2023, various violations were issued, including electrical issues, window repairs, plumbing problems, and heating system concerns, with specific citations for pest infestation, including a roach problem in Apartment 2 that was classified as a C-violations (more serious category). Recent inspections in May 2024 revealed three ongoing violations related to building maintenance, including issues with fire retardant material in the 3rd-story public hall, broken locks at the 1st-story entrance, and inadequate paint conditions. The building has also experienced heating system problems, with emergency complaints logged in both November and December 2023. Additional concerns include violations for carbon monoxide detector issues, electrical switch problems, and various repair needs in Apartment 2, all documented in December 2023.

Historical records show past complaints regarding work without permits (2023) and a gas utility referral in 2020, though no violations were substantiated in these cases. The building's location is within the jurisdiction of active pest control measures, as indicated by the consistent documentation of rat activity and the need for bait application throughout 2023-2025. The property appears to be under ongoing monitoring for rodent issues, with multiple inspections conducted by the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene. The persistent nature of both pest control challenges and maintenance violations suggests ongoing management and maintenance requirements that have not been fully resolved, as evidenced by multiple open violations that remain on record as of 2024.