659 Liberty Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11207

The two-family house at 659 Liberty Avenue in East New York, owned by David Stephens and constructed in 1940, has experienced numerous maintenance issues over the past two years, with significant ongoing concerns regarding heat/hot water systems, pest infestations, and electrical problems. Most recently, in January 2025, there was a heat/hot water complaint that was resolved quickly, continuing a pattern of heat-related issues throughout 2024. The building has also faced recurring problems with appliances, including multiple complaints about electric/gas ranges between December 2023 and December 2024, some of which were investigated by HPD.

A concerning pattern of pest infestations has emerged, particularly affecting Apartment 2F and 2R, with violations recorded in late 2024 for both mice and cockroach infestations. The property has experienced consistent electrical issues, including a power outage in October 2024 that resulted in violations, and multiple complaints about lighting problems throughout 2023 and 2024. Several housing maintenance code violations remain open as of late 2024, including safety issues such as the absence of carbon monoxide detectors in Apartment 2F, electrical service problems, and building maintenance concerns like a defective refrigerator door seal and floor damage in Apartment 2R.

Additionally, rodent activity was documented in January 2023, indicating persistent vermin control challenges, though the building passed inspection in 2012. The building has experienced multiple heat/hot water complaints in 2024-2025, with at least one classified as an emergency. The property has undergone several HPD inspections resulting in both violations and emergency repairs, particularly during late 2024 when multiple issues were addressed, including problems with the bathtub/shower plumbing, flooring, and various appliance malfunctions. While some complaints were resolved through inspections, several violations remain open as of late 2024, requiring ongoing monitoring of the property's maintenance status.