650 East 21st Street, Brooklyn, NY 11226

The 23-unit, 4-story building at 650 East 21st Street in Flatbush, owned by Sam Rub and constructed in 1931 as a New Law Tenement, has experienced several concerning maintenance issues in recent years. Most notably, in early 2025, there were multiple complaints related to unsanitary conditions and maintenance problems, including ceiling issues requiring attention and mold concerns, which were classified as emergencies. These followed a cluster of unresolved complaints from October 2024 regarding various issues such as plumbing problems (in sinks and bathtubs/showers), pest infestations, and a broken window guard (a safety concern).

The building has also recorded ongoing water-related issues, with violations related to water leaks and plumbing systems, particularly affecting the first-floor apartment (1B). Additional maintenance history shows the building has faced various violations that were eventually addressed, including issues with fire safety (damaged fire retardant materials in public areas) and concerns about garbage/recycling storage. In 2023, there was a violation issued for failing to file a required external low-pressure inspection, which remains active as of now.

Despite these challenges, the building has maintained a clean record regarding bedbug infestations in recent years, with no reported incidents between 2019-2025. However, there appears to be a persistent rodent issue, with multiple rodent bait applications recorded throughout 2025 and documented rat activity in January and May 2025. The building's maintenance history indicates a pattern of recurring plumbing and sanitation issues, with both emergency and non-emergency violations requiring attention over the past year.