561 East 2nd Street, Brooklyn, NY 11218

The 16-unit, 4-story New Law Tenement at 561 East 2nd Street in Kensington, owned by Shimon Kon and built in 1923, has experienced several significant maintenance and safety issues over the past two years. Most notably, there was a building-wide heat and hot water emergency reported in December 2024, though HPD was unable to gain access for inspection. In late 2024, apartment 3C became the focal point of multiple violations, including issues with mold, window repairs, and deficiencies in safety equipment such as smoke and carbon monoxide detectors.

The building has a concerning history of fire escape problems, with violations recorded in March 2024 citing severe corrosion and compromised structural stability, though a related Environmental Control Board violation was resolved with a $1,250 penalty. Throughout 2024, there were multiple inspections for various issues including mold, flooring problems, and paint/plaster conditions, with some violations formally issued in March 2024. The property faced some emergency and non-emergency complaints regarding unsanitary conditions, flooring issues, and interior finishes.

A problematic egress situation was documented in March 2024, and there were concerns about water leaks. While there have been no reported bedbug infestations in the past three years, rodent inspections in December 2021 passed successfully. The building’s historical record includes a 2018 construction-related complaint that resulted in a stop work order, and two violations from 2024 remain active, including one for failure to file the 2023 external low pressure inspection.