285 South 1st Street, Brooklyn, NY 11211

285 South 1st Street is a 4-story, 5-unit residential building located in Williamsburg and owned by Stephen Kraus. Built in 1910, this old law tenement has experienced recurring maintenance issues over recent years, with the most pressing concerns centering around heat and hot water systems. Most recently, in April 2025, there was a complaint about lack of heat/hot water, marking the second such incident in less than six months, following a similar problem in October 2024 for which violations were issued.

Between 2021 and 2025, the building has faced multiple heating system failures, water-related issues, and electrical problems, including both power outages and wiring concerns. Apartment 1A appears to have experienced particularly significant issues, with documented violations in 2023-2024 related to water leaks, infestations, and various maintenance needs. The building has several active violations with the Department of Buildings regarding failure to file required external low-pressure inspections for 2021-2023.

While the property has maintained a clean record regarding bedbug infestations, with zero reported cases between 2019 and 2025, there have been documented rodent-related issues, including rat activity noted in 2016 and a C violation in 2024 for cockroach infestation in apartment 2A. Recent housing maintenance code violations show ongoing maintenance challenges, including plumbing repairs needed in apartment 2A and various repairs required in apartment 1A, ranging from ceiling paint/plaster work to floor and infestation issues. Despite these various complaints and violations, most have been addressed through inspections and repairs, though some remain open as of the latest data.