688 New Lots Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11207

The three-story, five-unit tenement building at 688 New Lots Avenue in East New York, owned by Eran Varnai, has experienced several significant maintenance issues in recent years. Most notably, in July 2024, the building faced multiple water-related problems, including both heavy and slow leaks, along with electrical lighting issues. These incidents prompted immediate emergency responses from the Department of Housing Preservation and Development (HPD), resulting in violations that required attention to both water damage and electrical systems.

Additional maintenance concerns were documented in February 2024, including plumbing water supply issues, mold, window frame problems, and flooring concerns, though these inspections did not result in violations. The building's maintenance history shows a pattern of infrastructure challenges, with recent violations recorded in August 2024 specifically citing issues with the ceiling in the first-story vestibule, including water leaks, broken fire-retardant material, and the need for repainting. Other notable historical incidents include a pest control issue reported in September 2021 (though inspectors were unable to gain access), and a building code complaint from 2019 regarding illegal commercial use that was ultimately closed when inspectors could not gain access.

Encouragingly, the building has maintained a clean record for bedbug infestations, with the most recent reports from 2024 showing no affected units. While rodent inspections conducted between 2010 and 2012 generally passed, one initial inspection in 2010 received a failure notice for unspecified reasons. The persistence of water-related issues and electrical problems, particularly in recent years, suggests ongoing infrastructure challenges that require monitoring.