305 Schaefer Street, Brooklyn, NY 11237

The three-story, six-unit tenement at 305 Schaefer Street in Bushwick, owned by Jacob Brach, has experienced several maintenance issues over recent years, with the most pressing concerns being water-related problems. Most recently, in late 2023, there were complaints about slow water leaks and ceiling issues that were investigated by the Department of Housing Preservation and Development (HPD) but resulted in no violations. The building has a documented history of water-related problems, including a significant "heavy flow" water leak in September 2021 that resulted in violations, though subsequent inspections generally found no violations.

Between 2021 and 2022, multiple concerning issues were reported, including electrical problems, plumbing issues, pest infestations, mold, and a broken window guard. While some of these problems resulted in violations, many subsequent inspections found no violations for the reported issues. More recently, the building has faced some serious safety and compliance issues. As of May 2023, there was an active violation regarding a hazardous orange extension cord running from the second floor window through the basement, which resulted in a $4,000 penalty.

There are also several open violations from 2022 related to safety and fire escape egress that require attention. The building's management has maintained regular bedbug reporting from 2020 onwards, consistently reporting zero infested units, though there are some outstanding violations related to bedbug reporting requirements as of 2023. Retaining detailed records of rodent inspections shows a recurring pattern of rat activity, particularly evident in 2024, with multiple bait applications and compliance inspections showing ongoing challenges with vermin control, though the most recent inspection in April 2025 passed. The property requires attention to multiple open violations related to building safety and maintenance, particularly concerning fire escape egress and interior conditions.