42 Hawthorne Street, Brooklyn, NY 11225

The 8-unit, 4-story New Law Tenement at 42 Hawthorne Street in Prospect-Lefferts Gardens, owned by Jean Daniel Hertzog, has experienced numerous maintenance issues over the past year (2024-2025) that merit attention. Most notably, there are four open violations as of August 2024, including a trip hazard involving metal objects on the roof floor, broken fire-retardant material in the second-story public hall, and three separate instances of illegal encumbrances (household items) in various public areas including the first and fourth stories.

The building has faced recurring infrastructure challenges, with multiple complaints about heat and hot water issues (April 2024), water supply problems (April 2024), and sanitation concerns including mold and pest infestations (May 2024). An inspection in June 2024 revealed the need for repairs to plaster surfaces and painting in Apartment 4R's foyer, while a September 2024 violation was issued for failure to file the 2023 external low-pressure inspection. The property has a concerning pattern of access issues for inspections, as evidenced by three separate inspections (Local Law 188/17 Compliance Inspections) in 2022-2024 where inspectors were unable to gain access.

While there were additional complaints and violations, many were resolved without penalties or were closed with no violations issued. On a positive note, the building has maintained a consistent record of no bedbug infestations over the past five years, with all reported cases showing zero infested, eradicated, or re-infested units. The most recent complaints, including a flooring issue from October 2024, have been closed due to lack of access or violation detect, though there have been some improvement notices regarding various deteriorated conditions in common areas and individual units.