781 East 5th Street, Brooklyn, NY 11218

The two-family house at 781 East 5th Street in Kensington, owned by Aron Stroh, has experienced recurring heat and hot water issues, most recently in April 2025, when two emergency complaints were filed regarding building-wide deficiencies, though heat and hot water were reportedly restored when inspectors responded. The building, constructed in 1920, experienced multiple maintenance issues in early 2019 during an inspection on January 30, which resulted in several violations including problems with stairs, gutters, and various paint/plaster concerns, particularly in the second-floor apartment (2FL).

Specific violations from February 2019 inspections include broken stairs in the public hall, roof leakage affecting the ceiling in apartment 2, and multiple issues with cabinets and windows in 2FL, as well as a mouse infestation that year. Although most 2019 complaints were addressed, several violations remain open as of 2025, including issues with the second rain leader and various repair matters throughout the building. The property has undergone regular rodent inspections in 2009, 2011, and 2012, all of which passed, suggesting an overall decrease in pest-related issues since the 2019 infestation.

Other maintenance concerns in 2019 included plumbing, electrical outlet problems, stair flooring, and various maintenance issues relating to doors/windows, with most complaints being resolved by March 2019. In late 2024, there was a complaint regarding illegal commercial use in a residential zone, though access was denied during inspection attempts. While the building has shown adherence to some housing maintenance codes over the years, the recurrent nature of the heating system issues in both 2019 and 2025 raises concerns about the building's infrastructure reliability, particularly regarding basic utilities.