37-68 97th Street, Queens, NY 11368

The 60-unit, 6-story building at 37-68 97th Street in Jackson Heights, owned by Maria Rojas, has experienced persistent maintenance challenges since 2020. Most recently, in March 2025, multiple complaints were filed and investigated by HPD, including issues with window guards, mold, pests, and water supply problems, with some violations being issued. The building has a documented history of elevator service issues, with multiple complaints in 2024 regarding "Single Device on Property/No Alternate Service," though inspections did not find violations warranting penalties.

Between 2020 and 2025, there were recurring complaints about heating and hot water systems, particularly in March 2024 when inspections were unable to access units for evaluation. The building has also faced periodic pest control challenges, as evidenced by bedbug infestation reports from 2019-2024, though all reported infestations have been successfully eradicated, with the most recent instance in 2024 involving one unit. In late 2024, the building received multiple Housing Maintenance Code violations related to lead-based paint hazard control requirements for several units (1D, 1E, 2D, 2E, 3H, 5C, 5K, 6F, 6K), with the majority being subsequently certified as compliant by November 2024.

The property has shown some improvement in pest management, with successful eradication of reported infestations, and passed rodent inspections in 2017. While the building has experienced various maintenance issues over the years, many recent complaints have been promptly investigated by HPD, though access for inspections has sometimes been a barrier to assessment. The elevator system's reliability remains a notable concern, with multiple service interruptions reported across different years, and an ECB violation for safety device maintenance was issued in 2018 with a penalty of $1,250.