552 Flatbush Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11225

The 6-story, 65-unit residential building at 552 Flatbush Avenue, owned by Jay Jaffe and built in 1926, has experienced significant maintenance challenges in recent years, particularly regarding elevator service and pest control. Between late 2021 and mid-2025, there have been recurring issues with the building's single elevator system, including multiple complaints about being out of service and safety-related violations such as an improperly installed DLM (Dual-Landing Mechanism). The elevator maintenance has resulted in several Environmental Control Board violations, including charges for misaligned cab mirror, unguarded plank switch, and improper floor stops, with penalties totaling over $3,000 still pending as of April 2024.

Recent maintenance records from 2023-2025 show persistent pest management needs, with multiple reports of rodent activity and three confirmed bedbug infestations between 2019 and 2024, though all affected units were properly treated and eradicated. The building has also faced various other maintenance issues, including electrical outages, unsanitary conditions, and bugs that have resulted in multiple HPD inspections where access was not granted. Recent housing maintenance code violations from late 2024 indicate problems with security features and sanitation in common areas, though many earlier violations from 2022-2023 related to building systems and safety equipment have been resolved or dismissed.

Most recently, there have been three smoking-related complaints in 2025 regarding violations of the building's smoke-free policy. The property's current status shows a combination of active violation notices regarding elevator systems and historical patterns of pest control challenges. According to Department of Buildings records, the building's systems have undergone various inspections and require ongoing maintenance to address both immediate hazards and recurring issues, particularly regarding elevator reliability and pest management. The building has an active monitoring program for rodent control, as evidenced by multiple bait applications throughout 2025, and irregular maintenance patterns suggest ongoing infrastructure challenges.