785 East 4th Street, Brooklyn, NY 11218

The 36-unit, 4-story New Law tenement building at 785 East 4th Street in Kensington, owned by Alex Wagman, has experienced significant maintenance challenges recently, particularly regarding heat and hot water systems. From December 2024 through January 2025, there were multiple emergency complaints about heat and hot water issues affecting the entire building, with HPD inspecting several cases and issuing violations. The building shows a concerning pattern of heating system problems, with complaints recorded on multiple dates including January 6, 9, 17, 19, and 24 of 2025.

In addition to heating issues, there are ongoing concerns about the building's maintenance and safety features, including a violation for an infested apartment (D1) involving roaches, roof leaks, and missing smoke/carbon monoxide detectors, though some violations were certified as corrected by January 2025. Historical records show persistent pest management challenges, with bedbug infestations reported in multiple years from 2018 to 2022, though the most recent filings for 2023-2024 show no infested units. The building's maintenance history also includes various safety and building compliance issues, such as concerns about fire escape safety, window frames, and an active Department of Buildings violation for failure to file the 2021 External Low-Pressure Inspection.

The property has undergone several inspections and investigations related to work without permits, elevator service issues, and an Environmental Control Board violation regarding construction debris in the courtyard recorded in 2019. While the building has had some violations resolved and certified, including various maintenance issues in apartment D1, the pattern of heating problems and ongoing safety maintenance concerns suggest continued challenges in building upkeep and resident comfort. Recent 311 complaints from January 2025 indicate ongoing responsiveness from HPD, with some violations requiring correction within specific timeframes.