685 Pennsylvania Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11207

The two-story, four-unit New Law Tenement at 685 Pennsylvania Avenue, owned by Christopher Howard and built in 1923, has experienced several significant maintenance issues in recent years. Most notably, in December 2024, there were complaints about lack of heat and hot water affecting the entire building, though inspectors from both HPD and Housing Maintenance Code were unable to gain access for verification.

The building has persistent violations regarding bedbug reporting, with open violations recorded in 2022, 2023, and 2024 indicating the owner's failure to file the required annual bedbug report as per HPD regulations. In February 2018, multiple violations were documented in Apartment 1F, including issues with window guards (Class C, now closed), floor cabinet doors (Class A, open), and a defective sink connection in the kitchen (Class B, open).

While there have been some improvements, such as the resolution of the 2018 window guard violation, the building's recent history shows continued challenges with basic services and regulatory compliance. Prior to these recent issues, the building underwent rodent inspections in 2011 and 2012, both of which were passed. The most recent documented violations, particularly regarding heat/hot water and bedbug reporting compliance, suggest ongoing maintenance and oversight challenges that impact resident comfort and safety.