419 De Witt Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11207

The two-family house at 419 De Witt Avenue in East New York, owned by Henrietta Okpala, has experienced several concerning issues over the past several years, particularly regarding heat and hot water availability. Most recently, in November 2024, there was an emergency complaint about lack of heat/hot water affecting the entire building, though inspectors were unable to gain access to the property for verification. This was not an isolated incident; between 2021 and 2024, there have been multiple documented cases of heating and hot water issues, with several complaints going unresolved due to lack of access for inspections, including a cluster of complaints in February 2023 affecting both the entire building and individual apartments.

The building has also faced maintenance challenges beyond heating systems. In 2022, violations were documented regarding flooring and the presence of mold and pest conditions in 2nd-floor apartment units, along with plumbing issues. Specific violations were issued for defective floor tiles, wood floor problems, leaky bathtub faucets, and a broken sink cabinet in the 2nd floor apartment.

In early 2022, multiple violations were documented for both apartments, including mold issues in the kitchen cabinets, problems with bathroom tiles, and pest infestations. The property has a documented history of illegal conversion complaints from 2018-2019, with inspectors unable to gain access during multiple investigation attempts. This culminated in an Environmental Control Board violation in March 2019, related to unauthorized occupancy of cellar spaces with illegal gas stove and sink installations, resulting in a $6,250 penalty that appears to have been resolved. The building's maintenance history indicates ongoing challenges with basic services and repair needs, particularly regarding heating systems and general upkeep across both residential units.