596 East 22nd Street, Brooklyn, NY 11226

The 16-unit, 4-story New Law Tenement building at 596 East 22nd Street in Flatbush, owned by Sara Lichtman and constructed in 1931, has experienced recurring maintenance issues over recent years, particularly concerning heat and plumbing systems. Most notably, there have been multiple heat and hot water complaints in 2023-2025, including an emergency complaint in June 2025, though HPD inspections typically found no violations.

The building faced significant infrastructure challenges in late 2023, with several related complaints about water supply and heating systems, though conditions were reportedly restored according to tenant testimony. More recent maintenance issues include rodent activity, with inspections in March and April 2025 confirming presence, and a rat sighting complaint in March 2024 that resulted in violations requiring follow-up inspections. The building's maintenance record shows a pattern of various building system concerns, including an appliance emergency in August 2024, and multiple complaints about paint and plaster conditions in 2023-2024.

During inspections in June 2023, several Housing Maintenance Code violations were documented, including issues with plasters, carbon monoxide notice requirements, and encumbrances on fire escapes, particularly affecting apartment 2B. While the building has maintained a bedbug-free status in recent years, with no reported infestations between 2019 and 2025, the persistent issues with heating, plumbing, and rodent activity suggest ongoing maintenance challenges. The property has generally responded to violations, with most being closed promptly following corrections or inspections, though some violations from 2023 requiring follow-up inspections indicate potential unresolved issues.