71-12 Fresh Pond Road, Queens, NY 11385

The three-story, seven-unit New Law Tenement building at 71-12 Fresh Pond Road in Ridgewood, owned by Vito Montalto and constructed in 1930, has experienced a series of maintenance and safety issues over the past several years. Most notably, the building has a history of electrical-related problems, with multiple complaints about defective wiring in mid-2023 and violations related to electrical service in apartment 3R, though inspectors were often unable to gain access to verify these issues. There were significant concerns following a fire incident in June 2023 that affected both the 2nd and 3rd floor apartments (2L and 3L), though these violations were subsequently closed.

The building has undergone multiple inspections for safety systems, with a cluster of complaints in March 2023 relating to flooring, walls, and ceiling finishes, as well as regarding smoke and carbon monoxide detectors, though no violations were formally issued. More recent issues include ongoing concerns about door functionality and intercom systems, with violations noted in July 2024 regarding the building entrance door self-closing mechanism and related systems. Environmental concerns have also been documented, including a mold issue in July 2023 categorized as an emergency.

The building's maintenance history shows a consistent pattern of interior surface maintenance needs, particularly regarding paint and plaster conditions in walls and ceilings. Importantly, the building has maintained a generally positive record regarding pest control, with no reported bedbug infestations in the past two years (2024-2025) and only one isolated incident in 2022. Rodent inspections in 2022 showed mixed results, with one initial inspection failing for unspecified reasons, though subsequent compliance inspections passed. While some violations from 2023 regarding external low-pressure inspections remain active as of mid-2025, the building's most recent bedbug and rodent inspections indicate improved pest management practices.