5221 New Utrecht Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11219

The 8-unit, 4-story building at 5221 New Utrecht Avenue in Borough Park, owned by Barry Hers, has experienced recurring heat and hot water issues over the past five years, with emergency complaints filed in February 2022, November 2022, and multiple incidents in January 2019, though inspections by the Department of Housing Preservation and Development (HPD) found no violations in 2022, and heat and hot water were reportedly restored in February 2022. More recently, the building underwent inspections in October and November 2023, revealing several maintenance concerns including an open violation regarding the television/radio antenna positioning (class A violation), a requirement to paint the 4th story hall ceiling (class A violation), and issues with self-closing doors at both the basement and bulkhead (class C violations).

The building has maintained a clean record regarding bedbug infestations, with all six annual filings from 2019 through 2024 reporting zero infested or eradicated units. Inspections of the building's rodent conditions have also been favorable, with an April 2017 inspection resulting in a passing status. Recent housing maintenance code violations, documented in late 2023, include problems with encumbrances in public hallways, roof leaks, and damaged fire-retardant plaster at the 4th story public hall.

While many of these violations received certifications for correction in early 2024, there remains an open violation from October 2023 regarding encumbrances in the 4th story public hall, and the most recent violation addressed in February 2024 relates to painting requirements. The building's history shows systematic attention to basic maintenance issues, though the recurring nature of heat and hot water complaints suggests ongoing challenges with building systems. The absence of bedbug and rodent issues in recent years is a positive note regarding the building's general condition.