555 East 5th Street, Brooklyn, NY 11218

The 20-unit, 4-story tenement building at 555 East 5th Street in Kensington, currently owned by Cecil Lowe, has experienced recurring issues with pest control and building maintenance over the past two years. Most recently, from April 2025 to July 2025, there have been multiple reports of rodent activity, with the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene conducting inspections and issuing violations. The building has also faced several heating and hot water emergencies, particularly between April and May 2025, with multiple tenants reporting issues through 311 services.

In 2024, a significant cluster of violations was documented in Apartment C5, including problems with doors, smoke detectors, intercommunication systems, and evidence of pest infestations. The building's history also reveals concerns about unauthorized conversions and safety compliance. Between 2023 and 2025, there were multiple complaints regarding illegal conversions and egress issues, with some cases resulting in Oath Violations being served.

Environmental Control Board violations from August 2024 indicate problems with blocked fire escapes and passageways, though these were not fully resolved. The property has shown a persistent pattern of pest-related issues, with bedbug infestations reported in 2021 and 2024, and an active rat control program in place with regular inspections from 2023 through 2025. While there have been various repairs and corrections made to address violations, including work completed in late 2024, several active and recently closed violations remain on record, suggesting ongoing maintenance challenges.