221 Avenue F, Brooklyn, NY 11218

221 Avenue F, a 4-story, 20-unit New Law Tenement built in 1931 in Kensington, has experienced recurring heat and hot water issues over the past three years, with a notable concentration of complaints in 2024. Between August 2024 and October 2024 alone, there were five separate complaints about building-wide heat and hot water problems, three of which resulted in HPD being unable to enter apartments for inspection. Earlier complaints from 2023 and 2022 had also documented similar heating system difficulties, though some reports indicated that heat and hot water had been restored by the time of inspection. The building has faced various regulatory challenges, including multiple Housing Maintenance Code violations.

In 2023, violations were issued for cables creating a trip hazard at the building's front balcony fire escape, and there were issues with self-closing doors at both the 4th-story bulkhead and 1st-story entrance. An important maintenance requirement regarding the completed certificate of inspection visits display was noted as not being properly maintained in 2024. The property has undergone three illegal conversion complaints between 2022 and 2023, though in each case, inspections either found no violations or access could not be obtained. A boiler-related violation was issued in March 2022, though this appears to have been resolved.

Notably, there have been no reported bedbug infestations in any of the recent annual reporting periods (2022-2025), indicating effective pest management. The building's heating system has clearly posed ongoing challenges, as evidenced by the regular pattern of HPD complaints and emergency responses, with the most recent issues occurring as recently as October 2024. While some violations have been resolved promptly, others have persisted or required multiple follow-ups. The building's management has maintained regular bedbug reporting compliance, with no infestations reported since 2019.