531 Herzl Street, Brooklyn, NY 11212

The two-story, four-unit tenement building at 531 Herzl Street in Brownsville, owned by Lincoln Harvey and constructed in 1930, has experienced several significant maintenance and safety issues over the past several years. Most recently, in February 2022, the building had multiple maintenance issues involving paint/plaster problems with ceilings, cabinet concerns, and a water leak with heavy flow, though no violations were ultimately issued following HPD inspections of these complaints.

Of particular concern are the open violations related to bedbug reporting requirements from 2021 through 2024, which have not been certified as resolved. The building has also faced serious safety concerns, with an emergency complaint regarding carbon monoxide detector issues in March 2019, for which HPD was unable to gain access for inspection. The 2019 complaints, which were numerous and varied, included reports of unsanitary conditions (pests), heat/hot water problems, plumbing issues, and flooring concerns, all of which HPD was unable to inspect due to access issues.

These led to multiple open violations, particularly affecting apartment 2R, including problems with smoke detector functionality, defective plaster and paint surfaces, bathroom fixture issues (bathtub leaks, floor tiles), and a loose stairs banister. The building has failed rodent inspections in both 2019 and 2012, indicating ongoing pest management challenges. While some individual complaints have been resolved, as evidenced by their closed status, the persistence of multiple open violations regarding bedbug reporting and the historical pattern of maintenance issues suggest recurring challenges with building upkeep and resident safety.