137-40 45th Avenue, Queens, NY 11355

This 6-story, 79-unit residential building in Flushing, owned by Minwu Chen and constructed in 1966, has experienced recurring issues with building systems and safety compliance. Most recently, in early 2025, there were complaints about heat and hot water issues in the entire building, though HPD was unable to gain access for inspection. Significant safety concerns emerged in mid-2025 with multiple violations related to carbon monoxide detectors and smoke detectors, which are critical safety systems.

The building has a documented history of heating system problems, with four reported incidents of no heat or hot water between 2018 and 2025. The building has been subject to several Housing Maintenance Code violations, particularly during 2024, including issues with self-closing doors in stairwells and fire safety concerns. An active Environmental Control Board violation related to exterior wall conditions is noted from 2022, and there are active Department of Buildings violations regarding failure to file certain required reports, including FISP Cycle 9A Technical Report and Energy Efficiency Score display requirements.

While the building appears to have maintained a bedbug-free status consistently since 2019, recent pest-related complaints (2024-2025) suggest ongoing maintenance challenges. The property has also experienced varying degrees of access issues for inspectors, which complicates resolution of some complaints. The current violation status as of October 2024 indicates several open and recently closed violations, particularly concerning door hardware and fire safety systems.