31-14 103rd Street, Queens, NY 11369

31-14 103rd Street is a two-family residential building constructed in 1920 in East Elmhurst, currently owned by Yingbin Chen. The property has experienced several significant issues that merit attention, particularly regarding safety and maintenance. Most recently, in September 2022, the building faced multiple simultaneous problems including electrical outages (no lighting), heavy water leaks, and issues with the bell/buzzer/intercom system, though no violations were ultimately issued for these complaints.

More concerning were the rat-related violations found by the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH) in September 2022, though subsequent inspections in November 2022 resulted in passing compliance. Earlier incidents in 2021 included multiple emergency complaints about unsatisfactory conditions, including issues with mold, a fire escape, and heating systems, though again, no violations were found upon inspection. The building has also been the subject of several suspicious activity complaints over the past four years, with the most recent complaints in 2023 regarding illegal conversions, illegal hotel rooms, and unauthorized commercial use of residential space.

Notably, there was an ECB violation issued in July 2021 for unpermitted construction of a combustible wood frame structure in the rear yard, which carried a penalty of $620. The property appears to be consistently challenging regarding access for inspections, with seven instances in 2021-2023 where inspectors were unable to gain access to the premises for verification of complaints. While there have been multiple permit applications and inspections recorded, including a 2019 permit issuance, the persistent pattern of complaints and inspection access issues suggests ongoing management challenges at the property.