1512 Dekalb Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11237

1512 Dekalb Avenue is a 3-story, 6-unit residential building located in Bushwick, built in 1931 and currently owned by Mark Berkowitz. The property has a significant history of maintenance issues, with the most pressing concerns being related to rodent activity and an ongoing sanitation problem. As of October 2025, there are four open violations from October 2024 regarding fire escape obstructions, including flower pots and recycling bins blocking egress. The building has experienced recurring rodent issues, with multiple "Rat Activity" findings during inspections throughout 2024 and 2025, despite regular bait application efforts by the Department of Health.

Recent maintenance requests include reports of ceiling issues and a water leak in mid-2025 classified as emergency and non-emergency maintenance code complaints, respectively. The building has faced multiple unsanitary conditions complaints, particularly regarding garbage/recycling storage and pest problems, though many of these complaints were closed with no violations found during inspections. While there have been violations regarding building maintenance code infractions, such as the need for annual bedbug reporting in 2021, there have been no recorded bedbug infestations in the property since regular reporting began in 2019, indicating effective management of this particular issue. The property has undergone various inspections and received treatment for rodent issues, with bait applied consistently between mid-2024 and early 2025, though compliance inspections continue to show rat activity.

Despite these challenges, the building's recent bedbug reports show zero infested units for the past three reporting periods, suggesting some improvement in pest management practices for non-rodent infestations. The building's maintenance record shows a pattern of recurring issues, particularly regarding sanitation and pest control, with many complaints requiring multiple service requests before resolution or confirmation of no violations. The most recent set of violations from 2024 highlights ongoing concerns about fire safety and egress obstruction, which are critical issues requiring attention to ensure resident safety. While some complaints have been resolved without violations being issued, the frequency of similar complaints suggests persistent building management challenges in maintaining required housing standards.