174 Knickerbocker Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11237

The 4-story, 8-unit residential building at 174 Knickerbocker Avenue in Bushwick, owned by Cheskel Jacob and constructed in 2006, has experienced several concerning recurring issues over the past few years. Most recently, in December 2024, there was a heat/hot water emergency affecting the entire building, though HPD's inspection found no violations of housing laws. The property has documented persistent rodent problems, with multiple inspections between 2022 and 2025 showing rat activity, including recent inspections in February 2025, October 2024, and multiple other inspections showing similar results. There are also two active Housing Maintenance Code violations from July 2023 related to improper postings in the public hall, including the required registration number and heating system information, though there have been multiple completed bedbug reports from 2021 through 2025 showing no infested units during those periods.

The building has a history of unauthorized occupancy issues, particularly in late 2019, when multiple complaints and violations were filed regarding illegal conversions of cellar space into living quarters. These resulted in an Environmental Control Board violation indicating improper use of the cellar as living quarters instead of the permitted storage and utility functions, with a $2,500 penalty imposed. While these violations were resolved, they indicate a troubling pattern regarding unauthorized space usage. The property has also been subject to various maintenance issues over the years, including multiple 311 complaints about unsanitary conditions, though many of these resulted in inspections finding no violations.

The building's management has been diligent in filing annual bedbug reports consistently from 2021 through 2025, with no reported infestations during these periods. Compliance efforts appear to be ongoing, with multiple inspections showing rat activity but also some passing inspections. The most recent bedbug reports in 2024-2025 show no infested units, suggesting at least some degree of effective pest management. The property's troubled history regarding illegal occupancy, combined with the persistent rodent issues and recent heat complaint, presents a complex picture of building conditions, though the absence of recent bedbug infestations is a positive note in the building's recent maintenance record.