663 Knickerbocker Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11221

The three-story, two-family house at 663 Knickerbocker Avenue in Bushwick, built in 1910 and currently owned by Cixiu Lu, has experienced several significant maintenance and safety issues over the past few years. Most notably, there has been an ongoing struggle with rodent control, with multiple inspections showing rat activity between 2019 and 2025, though the most recent 2025 inspection resulted in a passing compliance status. The building has also faced various housing maintenance code violations, particularly in 2019, when multiple issues were documented including pest infestations, unsanitary conditions, and necessary repairs to windows, ceilings, and electrical systems.

A specific mold issue was reported in May 2019, and the building received multiple violations related to the apartment's condition, including problems with cabinet doors, plumbing, and flooring. Recent concerns have centered around compliance with external low-pressure inspection requirements, with multiple active violations issued in 2023 for failure to file inspection reports between 2018 and 2020. The Department of Buildings identified additional issues in 2019 regarding stairway tread nosings and other safety concerns.

While there have been some improvements, as evidenced by the most recent passing rodent inspection, the building's history shows recurring patterns of maintenance issues and violations over the years. The property's management has taken steps toward compliance, as shown by the issuance of multiple permits between 2019 and 2023 for various repairs and maintenance work, including plumbing and electrical systems. The building's permit history indicates ongoing efforts to address the documented violations and improve overall building conditions, though some violations remain active as of 2023.