20-36 Himrod Street, Queens, NY 11385

The two-family house at 20-36 Himrod Street in Ridgewood, owned by Emma Nieto, has experienced several significant issues since 2019 that warrant attention. Most notably, there was an illegal conversion of the cellar space in 2019, with multiple violations issued for creating unauthorized living units, installing unpermitted plumbing, and modifying electrical systems, for which penalties totaling $4,125 were imposed. The building has also confronted recurring rodent problems, with multiple inspections failing initial standards between 2019 and 2022, though a successful compliance inspection occurred in January 2022.

Safety concerns have emerged periodically, including a 2024 steam pipe/riser issue that HPD was unable to inspect, and a 2019 fire escape inspection that revealed no violations. The property has experienced various maintenance challenges related to basic building systems, including heating and plumbing. In February 2019, HPD responded to complaints regarding heat and hot water issues throughout the building, for which no violations were found.

More recently, a plumbing-related issue was reported in November 2024, but HPD could not complete the inspection. The building's inspection history reveals systematic problems with safety systems, including violations for missing or defective smoke and carbon monoxide detectors in the first-floor apartment, though these were certified corrected by February 2019. While the building's most recent rodent inspection from January 2022 passed, there have been multiple historical compliance failures that indicate an ongoing challenge with pest management.