89-20 55th Avenue, Queens, NY 11373

This 120-unit, 6-story residential building located at 89-20 55th Avenue in Elmhurst, owned by Jose Torres, has experienced several recurring maintenance issues since 2022. The most frequent and concerning problems involve heat and hot water systems, with multiple emergency complaints in 2024 alone, including a building-wide heating issue in November 2024 where HPD could not gain access to conduct an inspection. There have been persistent water-related issues, with multiple complaints about varying degrees of leaks (heavy flow, slow leaks, and damp spots) recorded in February 2024, though inspections generally resulted in no violations.

The building has also faced electrical issues, as evidenced by a June 2024 complaint about outlets or switches, and a mold problem reported in February 2024. The property has documented various safety and maintenance violations, particularly in 2024, including concerns about building facade maintenance and elevator service. Three active ECB violations from 2022-2023 highlight issues with exterior maintenance, including cracked brick masonry and rusted window lintels, with penalties totaling $3,750.

The building's elevator system has been a recurring concern, with multiple complaints about single device service and no alternate service between 2020 and 2025. There were also structural concerns noted in 2022 regarding building shaking and vibration. Notably, there have been no reported bedbug infestations on record since 2018, and while there were reports of rodent activity in 2022-2023, recent inspections have shown compliance with rodent control measures. The building has had some issues with emergency system maintenance, including problems with self-closing doors and smoke detector functionality in apartment 5L, though these violations were subsequently closed.