16-18 Jefferson Avenue, Queens, NY 11385

The 28-unit, 4-story building at 16-18 Jefferson Avenue in Ridgewood, owned by Miriam Yavo and constructed in 1927 as a New Law Tenement, has experienced several significant maintenance and safety issues over recent years. Most notably, in early 2025, the building received multiple violations from HPD for various issues, including paint/plaster problems on walls and radiators, electrical concerns including no lighting and outlet issues, and water-related problems in a bathtub/shower. There have also been recurring pest problems, with inspections documenting both mold and pest-related violations in early 2025.

The building has documented water issues, including a heavy flow leak complaint from August 2024, and multiple plumbing problems including toilet issues from June 2024. A significant cluster of violations was recorded in 2024-2025, particularly affecting apartment 1B, which included water leaks, broken ceramic tiles, bathroom maintenance issues, and improper cabinet repairs. The property also shows ongoing concerns with rodent activity, with multiple bait applications recorded through late 2024, though there were periods of passing inspections in 2023-2024.

The building’s history includes several electrical safety complaints in 2022 that were not substantiated due to failed inspection access, and violations for failing to file low-pressure inspection records for 2020-2022, which remain active as of June 2023. While there was one instance of bedbug infestation reported in 2020-2021, subsequent filings from 2021-2025 show no further infestations. The property has experienced periodic maintenance issues over the years, with the most recent violations all occurring within the past two years, indicating ongoing challenges with building upkeep and safety compliance.