478 East 7th Street, Brooklyn, NY 11218

The three-story, 3-unit residential building at 478 East 7th Street in Kensington, owned by Vicky Gutierrez and built in 1925, has experienced recurring heating issues over the past few years. Most recently, in January 2025, there was a heat/hot water complaint that HPD was unable to investigate due to lack of access. Similar accessibility issues were noted in multiple complaints throughout 2024, including reports of water leaks, wall and ceiling paint/plaster problems, and another heat/hot water issue in February 2024.

More concerning is the current status of open violations from a 2024 inspection that require attention to safety matters, including the posting of smoke and carbon monoxide detector requirements, gas leak procedures, and housing information notices. The building also received violations related to door issues in October 2024, affecting both the entrance door and a self-closing kitchen door in Apartment 1. The property has a mixed maintenance history, with some violations being promptly addressed and others remaining open. In 2024, there were multiple complaints regarding signage, doors, and general condition issues that resulted in both open and closed violations.

While there were previous concerns about mold (July 2022), recent bedbug reports from late 2023 to late 2024 show no infestations or related issues. The building has maintained rodent compliance since an initial inspection in 2020, following prior failures in 2016. An active complaint regarding possible illegal conversion was filed in October 2024, though the inspector was unable to gain access for verification. The property's documented history reveals ongoing challenges with building maintenance access, particularly for HPD inspections, which has hindered resolution of some reported issues.