644 Driggs Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11211

The 21-unit, 4-story Old Law Tenement building at 644 Driggs Avenue in Williamsburg, owned by Cardinal Properties LLC and constructed in 1910, has experienced significant maintenance issues over the past several years. Most notably, there was a persistent heat and hot water outage problem in late 2024 through early 2025, with multiple complaints filed between December 2024 and January 2025, though HPD was often unable to gain access to conduct inspections. More recently, in January 2025, there was an unsanitary mold complaint that was inspected but found not to violate housing laws.

The building has active Housing Maintenance Code violations from December 2024 affecting apartments 6 and 8, including issues with plumbing fixtures, window hardware, kitchen appliances, and most concerning, missing smoke and carbon monoxide detectors in apartment 8. Three serious ECB violations from 2018 remain unresolved, related to unpermitted plumbing work and gas stove installation in apartment 4, with penalties totaling $1,800. The property has documented rat activity in 2022 and 2024, with multiple baiting inspections and compliance checks indicating an ongoing rodent control challenge.

While there have been no reported bedbug infestations in recent years (2021-2025), the building's maintenance history shows recurring issues with basic services and systems. The building's management has faced scrutiny for heat and hot water maintenance issues, with numerous tenant complaints in both late 2024 and early 2025. Despite several service requests and inspections, many issues have required multiple complaints to address, suggesting potential challenges with timely response and resolution of maintenance problems. The building's age and classification as an Old Law Tenement have contributed to a complex history of maintenance and compliance challenges, particularly regarding basic services and safety systems.