159 Linwood Street, Brooklyn, NY 11208

The three-unit New Law Tenement at 159 Linwood Street in Cypress Hills, owned by Haydee Torres and built in 1910, has experienced persistent pest-related issues over the past several years, particularly concerning rodent problems. The most recent incidents, as of mid-2025, include a rat sighting in July 2024 which resulted in health violations requiring follow-up inspections, and an August 2024 inspection that initially failed for unspecified reasons.

The building has an open violation record regarding the failure to file annual bedbug reports, with similar violations noted in 2021, 2022, and 2023. Between 2020 and 2024, there have been multiple reports of rodent activity, though some complaints were closed due to prior complaints covering similar issues. Notably, a July 2021 inspection found standing water in a container under 5 gallons, resulting in a summons to the owner.

While the building has passed some rodent inspections (most recently in October 2024), there appears to be an ongoing battle with pest control as evidenced by the recurring nature of the complaints and violations. However, it's important to note that not all inspections resulted in violations; for instance, a DOHMH inspection in August 2023 found no violations, and multiple Housing Maintenance Code complaints regarding unsanitary conditions related to pests were ultimately closed without violations being issued. The property's maintenance record shows a mix of compliance and non-compliance, with recent efforts suggesting some responsiveness to addressing these ongoing issues, though with varying degrees of success based on inspection results.