1481 Myrtle Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11237

The 4-story, 6-unit tenement building at 1481 Myrtle Avenue in Bushwick, owned by Deodat Lowtan, has been in operation since 1931 and has experienced several maintenance and safety issues in recent years. Most notably, as of April 2025, there are ongoing concerns regarding the fire escape system, with a recent inspection attempt by HPD being unsuccessful.

The building has a documented pattern of heating system problems, with multiple complaints in 2022 and 2021 indicating inadequate heat and hot water supply, including a December 2022 violation affecting the 4R apartment. There have also been persistent rodent issues, with multiple rat activity reports between 2023 and 2025, though recent inspections in June 2025 passed compliance checks. The property underwent a comprehensive inspection in July 2023, revealing several violations that have since been addressed, including issues with plaster surfaces and water leaks in public areas, as well as various maintenance needs such as repairs to doors and stairs.

Previous violations from 2022 included problems with boiler room access, door self-closing mechanisms, and window guards in apartment 3R. The building's management has maintained an active response to pest control, as evidenced by multiple bait applications between 2023 and 2024, and there have been no bedbug infestations reported in recent years, with the most recent filings showing zero affected units from 2019 through 2024. The building's record suggests ongoing maintenance challenges, particularly regarding safety systems and basic utilities, though many recent violations have been addressed through proper certification processes.