79-33 153rd Street, Queens, NY 11367

The property at 79-33 153rd Street is a 3-story, 2-family residential building constructed in 2000, currently owned by Cai Mei Xu. The building has experienced notable maintenance issues over the past few years, with the most significant concerns occurring in 2022. There were multiple complaints and violations regarding heat and hot water systems, including four separate incidents in early 2022 (January, April) involving no heat or hot water, though some were resolved shortly thereafter. Additionally, there were issues with water supply (March 2022) and a water leak (September 2021) that were also subject to inspection.

More serious concerns emerged in mid-2022, with the Department of Buildings documenting potential illegal conversion issues regarding the cellar space, which was reportedly being used as an unauthorized apartment with kitchen and bathroom facilities. This led to several open violations including mold conditions, illegal cooking space, and unauthorized plumbing fixtures in the cellar area, as well as security concerns related to improperly installed locks on building doors. While some violations were resolved, as of June 2022, there were still open Class B and C violations primarily related to cellar usage, including non-compliance with occupancy regulations and safety codes. The building has also had periodic issues with garbage/recycling storage (most recently in 2023) and mailbox concerns (April 2022), though these were investigated without any violations being issued.

The property has a history of inspection access denial for several complaints, making it difficult for authorities to fully assess and resolve certain issues. Inspection records and service requests indicate ongoing maintenance challenges, particularly regarding building systems and safety compliance. The most recent significant complaint was filed in January 2023 regarding unsanitary conditions related to garbage storage, which was closed in June 2023 after inspection, though no violations were found. The building's history suggests persistent challenges with maintenance and compliance, particularly regarding unauthorized modifications to the structure and building systems.