494 Midwood Street, Brooklyn, NY 11225

The three-story, three-unit residential building at 494 Midwood Street in Prospect-Lefferts Gardens, owned by Karizma Lawrence and constructed in 2005, has experienced recurring heating and hot water issues in recent years, with five documented complaints between 2018 and 2024. Most recently, in January 2024, there was an emergency complaint regarding heat/hot water issues in a specific apartment, though HPD was unable to gain access for inspection. The building has also faced electrical problems, including a power outage in July 2022, and various plumbing issues in August 2018, affecting both water supply and bathtub/shower facilities.

Recent maintenance inspections in 2023-2024 revealed several safety and maintenance violations, primarily related to fire safety systems and emergency infrastructure. These included issues with sprinkler heads in public areas, self-closing doors, and missing safety notices regarding smoke detectors and carbon monoxide requirements. Notably, there was a bedbug report filed in January 2024 covering the period from November 2022 to October 2023, indicating no infested units, though the building did not submit the required annual bedbug report in 2023, resulting in an A-class violation.

The most recent inspection in April 2024 identified unauthorized double-cylinder locks at the cellar entrance as a B-class violation. Despite these issues, many of the cited violations were promptly addressed and certified closed, indicating responsive maintenance management to some extent. The building's history shows a pattern of heating system challenges, particularly affecting resident comfort during colder months, though most complaints have been resolved relatively quickly through HPD intervention or direct corrective action, when access has been granted.