285 Shepherd Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11208

At 285 Shepherd Avenue in East New York, this 3-unit, 2-story residential building owned by Sergio Martinez has experienced several notable maintenance and safety issues over the past few years. Most concerning are the recent rodent-related incidents, with multiple complaints in 2023 including reported rodent bites, rat sightings, and subsequent health department inspections.

The building has also faced recurring rodent inspection challenges, with failed inspections noted in September 2023, though previous inspections in 2023 (most recently in November) passed. There are several open housing maintenance code violations from 2022 that require attention, including a roach infestation in Apartment 2, missing peep hole in a door, storage of combustible materials in the boiler room, loose wooden stair tread issues, and problems with security features like loose balustrades and an unstable iron ladder in the public areas. The building's history also includes documented heat and hot water issues in August 2018 affecting the entire building, and a significant egress-related violation was recorded in 2020 involving an obstructed front door in the first-floor apartment, for which a $1,250 penalty was imposed.

The property has undergone regular inspections for rodent control, with most recent inspections in 2023 showing a mix of compliance results. While some violations have been resolved, including a 2018 ECB violation regarding ceiling holes on the first floor, multiple open violations from 2022 remain. The building's management has generally responded to complaints, with several documented cases of HPD and DOHMH inspections that either found violations or confirmed corrections were made, though there have been instances where inspectors were unable to access the property for verification.