399 Berry Street, Brooklyn, NY 11249

The 7-unit, 3-story building at 399 Berry Street in Williamsburg, owned by Robert Raphael and built in 1910, has experienced significant maintenance issues in recent months, particularly regarding heat and hot water systems. Between January and February 2025, there were multiple emergency complaints about heat and hot water problems affecting both individual apartments and the entire building. Inspections during this period were frequently hampered by the department's inability to gain access to units. Additional maintenance concerns were documented in January 2025, including plumbing issues (toilets and sinks), door problems, and violations related to walls, flooring, and stairs.

The building's history includes two boiler-related violations in 2020 and 2023, with the most recent being an active violation from February 2023 regarding failed access for inspection and a previous installation issue with an associated penalty of $625. December 2024 inspections noted open violations regarding self-closing doors in apartments 2 and 3, while apartment 6 had multiple issues including water leaks, window problems, and plaster/paint deficiencies. However, more recent filings show no reported bedbug infestations since 2019, and the building passed rodent inspections in September 2024, despite recording rat activity in November 2024. The property has maintained regular compliance with bedbug reporting requirements, showing zero infested units in the past four reporting periods.

The building's recent history (2023-2025) suggests ongoing challenges with basic building systems and maintenance, particularly with heating and plumbing infrastructure. However, the property has generally addressed violations when cited, as evidenced by the closure of numerous complaints through HPD and DoB inspections. Records show no bedbug infestations in the past five years, though some rodent activity has been noted in recent inspections. The building's maintenance history indicates that while many issues are eventually addressed, there are recurring problems with access during inspections and timely resolution of violations, particularly with respect to self-closing doors and heating systems.