22 Melrose Street, Brooklyn, NY 11206

The 8-unit, 4-story building at 22 Melrose Street in Bushwick, owned by Charles Schwartz, has been in operation since its construction in 2016 and presents several concerning patterns in its maintenance history. The most significant recent issue involves recurring mold problems, with the latest emergency complaint recorded in October 2024 resulting in violations issued in December 2024 for a mold condition in the bathroom of apartment 1B.

This complaint follows similar mold-related issues in June and October of 2023, suggesting an ongoing moisture or ventilation problem despite previous corrections. The building has also experienced intermittent heat and hot water problems, with a notable incident in June 2024 requiring emergency intervention. The property has been subject to multiple evidence of rat activity, with six inspections between January 2024 and April 2025 confirming the presence of rodents, though two inspections in 2023 (June and October) showed no such activity.

A thorough inspection in January 2024 revealed several violations related to safety and maintenance notices that were subsequently corrected, including requirements for gas leak procedures, carbon monoxide detector information, and smoke detector requirements. Despite these maintenance challenges, it's worth noting that the building has maintained a clean bedbug record, with no infestations reported in the past five years. While the building was constructed in compliance with modern building codes, the recurring nature of mold issues and rodent activity suggests ongoing challenges with building systems and pest management that are being addressed through regular inspections and HPD involvement.