591 Knickerbocker Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11221

The 5-unit, 3-story residential building at 591 Knickerbocker Avenue in Bushwick, owned by Christine Rodriguez, has experienced recurring maintenance issues over the past two years, with particular concern for plumbing and heating systems. In 2024-2025, the building faced multiple plumbing issues (including problems with toilets and sinks) and heating/hot water complaints, with HPD inspectors frequently unable to gain access for proper inspection. During the last quarter of 2023, several non-emergency complaints were filed regarding wall paint/plaster issues and pest concerns, though HPD access was again denied for inspections.

The building's infrastructure has shown significant violations, particularly regarding safety and maintenance compliance, with open violations as of December 2024 related to fire safety systems, including defective self-closing doors and various required postings concerning gas leaks, carbon monoxide detectors, and smoke detector requirements. Additionally, there are active Department of Buildings violations from mid-2023 concerning failure to file low-pressure inspection documents for 2018-2020. On a more positive note, the building has maintained good pest control standards, with no bedbug infestations reported between late 2022 and late 2023, and passed rodent inspections in 2022, 2024, and 2025.

Recent inspections in 2023-2024 showed prompt resolution of some emergency issues, including electrical and flooring concerns. The property underwent some permitting activity in 2018 with an issued permit, though the specific nature of the work was not detailed in the available records. The persistent pattern of access denial for inspections and recurring plumbing and heating issues suggests ongoing maintenance challenges, though the presence of multiple open violations as of late 2024 appears to represent an active effort to address building code compliance, with some violations previously classified as closed.