612 Chester Street, Brooklyn, NY 11212

The two-story, four-unit New Law Tenement building at 612 Chester Street in Brownsville, owned by Whittaker Mack and constructed in 1930, has experienced several notable events affecting resident conditions over recent years. Most concerning is a significant fire that occurred in 2024, affecting four apartments (1R, 1F, 2R, and 2F) and resulting in Class C violations for fire damage across multiple units. The building has also faced recurring maintenance issues, with multiple service requests in 2023 alone, including problems with lighting, appliances, doors, plumbing, and pest infestations - though some of these inspections were unable to gain access for verification. Previous records from 2021 showed similar access issues for plumbing, door, and roofing complaints.

The property has had documented bedbug inspections in 2023-2024 showing zero infested units, and though there was a rat problem noted in 2012, subsequent inspections in 2016 and 2012 showed compliance. Two 2024 violations require attention to the skylight glass panes and roof repairs, while earlier violations from 2022 focused on interior maintenance, including paint requirements in Unit 1 and floor tile repairs in Unit 2F. The building has maintained compliance with bedbug reporting requirements in 2025, showing no infestations in the most recent reporting period. While there have been multiple emergency service requests, many remained unresolved due to lack of access during inspections. The property has demonstrated some maintenance responsiveness, evidenced by several closed violations and service requests, though the pattern of repeated issues suggests ongoing maintenance challenges.

The most recent known bedbug inspection in 2025 reported zero infested or re-infested units, indicating successful management of this particular issue. The enclosed timeline shows persistent maintenance challenges, including plumbing issues, door problems, and sanitation concerns, particularly during 2023-2024. The building's fire incident in 2024 represents the most significant recent concern, affecting multiple units and requiring substantial remediation. Regular bedbug inspections show effective management of this pest issue since 2021, with no reported infestations in recent years. While the property has experienced multiple maintenance issues, many complaints have been resolved through HPD intervention, though some required multiple reporting attempts to gain access for inspection.