304 St Nicholas Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11237

The three-story, six-unit building at 304 St Nicholas Avenue in Bushwick, owned by Sol Steinlauf and constructed in 1931, has experienced ongoing maintenance and safety issues, particularly in 2024-2025. Most notably, there have been recurring problems with water, electricity, and pest control. During 2025 alone, there were multiple complaints regarding water leaks, electrical issues, and pest infestations that HPD inspectors were unable to fully investigate due to access issues. The building has faced several heating system problems, including a significant heat and hot water outage in April 2025 that affected the entire building.

An active rat infestation continues to be a concern, with multiple inspections showing rat activity between 2022 and 2025, and a recent April 2025 complaint about conditions attracting rodents. Violation records from 2024-2025 indicate serious concerns about building safety and habitability. These include open Class C violations for pest infestations, safety concerns regarding self-closing doors, and multiple violations related to water and electrical systems. The building's illegal conversion status is of particular concern, with multiple complaints filed between 2021-2024 regarding unauthorized modifications and occupancy contrary to the Certificate of Occupancy, particularly related to alleged illegal apartments in the basement.

Additionally, there are multiple active Environmental Control Board violations related to failure to file required boiler inspection reports and unauthorized construction work. The property has a documented history of infrastructure issues, including problems with lighting, window frames, and water systems, as well as safety concerns regarding fire egress. While there were several violations regarding the building's maintenance systems, such as non-functioning smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors, there have been no reported bedbug infestations in recent years. The building's owners have faced repeated access issues during inspections, with multiple cases where inspectors were unable to gain entry, particularly concerning the illegal conversion investigations.