29-38 172nd Street, Queens, NY 11358

The two-family house at 29-38 172nd Street in Flushing, owned by Hsiao Chen and built in 1950, has experienced several significant issues over the past five years, with the most notable concerns emerging between 2019-2020. Most prominently, in late 2019, the Department of Buildings issued multiple violations related to an illegal conversion, indicating unauthorized modifications including the addition of full-height partition walls, new bathroom fixtures, and electrical work at the cellar level, which resulted in penalties totaling $10,000.

There were also serious safety and maintenance concerns during 2019, including two emergency complaints regarding mold, window frame issues, and wall conditions, along with a power outage incident. The property has a history of appliance-related complaints, with two nearly identical refrigerator issues documented in March 2020 that remained unresolved until April 2021, though no violations were issued following HPD inspections. A pattern of maintenance issues is evident, with multiple complaints about wall conditions and unsanitary conditions in July-August 2019.

The building management faced additional scrutiny in early 2020 for failing to comply with commissioners' orders, with at least one violation resulting in a $6,250 penalty. While there have been some positive developments, including the issuance of a permit in March 2020 (Permit Job #421782583), the property's history suggests recurring maintenance and compliance challenges, particularly related to unauthorized modifications and building systems. Each of the documented complaints has been closed, but the lengthy resolution times for some issues may indicate ongoing maintenance challenges.