728 Howard Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11212

The 22-unit, 4-story tenement building at 728 Howard Avenue in Brownsville, owned by Kerry Kramer and constructed in 1920, has experienced multiple heat and hot water-related issues over the past year. Between July 2024 and May 2025, there were five separate complaints regarding inadequate heat or hot water, with the most recent incident occurring in May 2025 resulting in violations being issued.

The building has shown consistent access issues during HPD inspections, with inspections in January and November 2025 being unable to gain access to apartments, though violations were issued following inspections of other units. The property has also been subject to multiple inspections under Local Law 188/17 compliance requirements in 2025, with several of these inspections noting inability to gain access.

In terms of pest management, the building passed its annual bedbug inspection for the reporting period of November 2023 to October 2024, with no reported infestations or eradications. A construction enforcement work order was issued and resolved in May 2023, with an Oath violation served at that time. While the building has maintained compliance with bedbug reporting and addressing a construction violation from 2023, the recurring heat and hot water issues and inspection access challenges represent the most significant ongoing concerns for residents, particularly given the emergency designation of these complaints.