1442 Dekalb Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11237

The three-story, six-unit Old Law Tenement building at 1442 Dekalb Avenue in Bushwick, owned by Virgil Chong, has experienced several recurring maintenance issues over the past years. Most notably, there has been an ongoing pattern of heat and hot water problems, with three separate emergency complaints recorded in late 2018, two of which resulted in HPD inspections. A water leak issue was reported in January 2020, though inspectors were unable to gain access.

Between 2017 and 2019, multiple violations were documented regarding basic maintenance and safety systems, including an unauthorized electromagnetic locking device on the vestibule door, excessive hot water temperatures in apartment 2L, defective smoke detector in 2L, and various issues with apartments 2R and 3R including security, plumbing, and interior maintenance concerns. The building has maintained regular compliance with bedbug reporting requirements over the past three years, with no recorded infestations since 2021. However, there has been evidence of rodent activity in recent years, with some inspections in 2024 (May 6, May 28, and November) showing rat activity or rat droppings, though subsequent inspections passed.

Two HPD violations regarding bedbug reporting requirements from 2021 through 2023 have been closed, with the most recent building inspection in March 2023 showing no current bedbug violations. Two complaints regarding a cooking gas issue and wall paint/plaster problems from 2019 and an emergency heat/hot water complaint from 2018 show a pattern of incomplete inspections due to lack of access. The most recent complaint regarding work without a permit from 2023 also resulted in inspectors being unable to gain access.