653 Central Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11207

The 6-unit, 3-story residential building at 653 Central Avenue in Bushwick, owned by Cooper & Decatur LP, has experienced several concerning maintenance issues over the past few years. Between late 2020 and 2021, there were multiple failed inspection attempts regarding various complaints, including heat and hot water issues, plumbing problems, and concerns about potentially illegal commercial use in the residential building.

Notably, between August 2020 and January 2021, there were five separate complaints about illegal commercial use, three complaints about blocked egress/exit paths, and two instances of plumbing issues, all of which resulted in inspectors being unable to gain access for verification. The building's bedbug and rodent history shows some troubling patterns, with documented infestations in 2020-2021, though recent filings from 2021 through 2025 indicate no recorded infestations. The rodent situation appears to have improved significantly, with the most recent inspection in April 2025 passing, and no rat activity reported in the last three inspections.

The property has maintained compliance with bedbug reporting requirements from 2022 onward, showing no current infestations. A notable building violation was recorded in April 2021 regarding the failure to file the annual bedbug report, though this appears to have been corrected. While some recent inspections for certificate of occupancy issues and construction without permits have been recorded, these were also marked as "Inspector Unable To Gain Access." The most recent rodent inspection in 2025 is encouraging, suggesting improved maintenance conditions, though the building's history shows a pattern of access issues for inspectors trying to verify complaints.