109-16 85th Avenue, Queens, NY 11418

The three-story, 18-unit residential building at 109-16 85th Avenue in Richmond Hill, owned by Barry Apfelbaum, has experienced several significant maintenance issues since 2020, with the most pressing concerns revolving around heating systems. Between February and November 2020, there were five documented incidents of heat and hot water problems affecting the entire building or specific apartments, though in most cases, HPD was informed that services had been restored before their inspection.

More recently, in June 2024, the building faced unsanitary conditions related to pests, but HPD was unable to gain access for inspection. The building's most recent inspection in June 2024 revealed several safety compliance issues that were subsequently addressed, including the need to remove tree obstructions from fire escapes, replace missing carbon monoxide detectors, post procedures for suspected gas leaks, install proper smoke detector requirements, clarify heating system access information, and correct a non-self-closing door mechanism at the front entrance.

The apartment has maintained an absence of bedbug infestations over the past five reporting periods from 2019 through 2024, with no units reported as infested or requiring eradication. Housing Maintenance Code violations from 2020 included safety concerns in Apartment A6 regarding smoke and carbon monoxide detectors, door mechanisms, and fire egress, all of which were addressed by May 2020. The building, constructed in 1941, has had consistent heating system challenges as its most prominent maintenance issue, with 2024 marking the only recent complaint period with pest-related concerns.