778 Bushwick Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11221

778 Bushwick Avenue is a two-family residential building constructed in 1899 and currently owned by Joel Waldman. The property has experienced several significant issues over the past few years, most notably in late 2020 when multiple emergency complaints were filed regarding heat/hot water and door conditions. During this period, violations were found related to a defective carbon monoxide detector and hot water temperatures exceeding 130 degrees in Apartment 1, though these violations were certified as corrected by December 2020.

More concerning is a pattern of illegal occupancy issues; in 2018-2019, violations were documented for converting the building from its legal two-family status, and in 2022, violations were issued for illegal transient use and inadequate safety systems when the first floor was occupied for short-term rentals without proper fire safety measures. This resulted in penalties totaling $7,250. The property has maintained a relatively clean record in recent years regarding pest control, with no bedbug infestations reported in the past four years.

Rodent inspections show a concerning trend in 2025, with the most recent inspections in April and May 2025 indicating rat activity, though previous inspections from 2023 and 2024 had passed. The building has also undergone two separate heat/hot water complaints in late 2020, which were resolved without violations being issued. In addition to these maintenance issues, the property has faced zoning and parking compliance challenges in the past, though specific violations related to these issues appear to have been resolved. The building's most recent inspection records show continued attention to maintenance requirements, though the recurring rodent activity noted in 2025 raises potential concerns about ongoing maintenance challenges.