257 Pennsylvania Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11207

The 24-unit, 4-story tenement building at 257 Pennsylvania Avenue in East New York, owned by Chaim Cohen and dating back to 1930, has experienced significant maintenance and safety issues in recent years. Most notably, there have been recurring problems with heat and hot water systems, with multiple complaints in 2025, including a service request in April 2025 that resulted in violations being issued. The building has also faced various plumbing issues, including radiator and bathtub problems, as well as electrical concerns, with violations documented in HPD inspections.

Multiple 311 service requests in 2025 related to unsanitary conditions due to pests and mold were either inspected with violations issued or resulted in failed access attempts for inspectors. The building's violation history shows persistent problems with basic systems, including heat, water, and electrical infrastructure, with several HPD violations issued between 2024-2025 that required correction within specified timelines. The building's violation history reveals ongoing maintenance challenges, including plumbing problems (radiators, sinks, and water leaks), electrical wiring issues, and deterioration of building systems.

While some violations have been certified as corrected, including specific issues in apartments 8B and 12C related to water leaks and plaster surfaces, the pattern of repeated complaints suggests ongoing maintenance challenges. The building has undergone several Department of Buildings inspections in recent years, with mixed results; while some safety inspections (2021-2022) found no violations, more concerning was a 2020 egress violation regarding obstructed exit passageways and a 2020 complaint about work without permits, though these were ultimately closed with no violations warranted. Recent rodent inspections in 2024 passed, and the building has maintained a clean bedbug record with no reported infestations since 2019. The property's pattern of complaints and violations, particularly regarding basic services like heat and hot water, suggests ongoing challenges with building maintenance and systems.