859 Hart Street, Brooklyn, NY 11237

The three-story, six-unit tenement building at 859 Hart Street in Bushwick, owned by Michael Cortes and built in 1931, has experienced notable maintenance challenges over recent years. Most recently, in 2024, there was an unsanitary condition complaint regarding pests that could not be inspected by HPD.

Significant safety concerns were documented in August 2022, including violations related to smoke detectors, carbon monoxide detectors, and window guards, though some of these issues were resolved or closed shortly thereafter. The building has also faced challenges with pest management and unsanitary conditions, experiencing infestations of mold and roaches in Apartment 1L, as noted in 2022 violations. More recent developments show ongoing concerns with rodent activity, with inspections throughout 2023-2025 consistently indicating rat presence, despite some passing inspections in between.

The property has demonstrated compliance efforts regarding lead paint hazard controls, with violations noted for Apartments 3L and 1R in 2024, particularly focusing on documentation and certification requirements. The building's management history shows periodic attention to safety systems, with multiple violations and subsequent corrections regarding smoke detectors, carbon monoxide detectors, and self-closing doors. While the building has maintained a bedbug-free record according to reports from 2019 through 2025, the persistent rodent activity and various safety and maintenance violations suggest ongoing challenges with building upkeep and resident safety.