88-44 161st Street, Queens, NY 11432

88-44 161st Street is a 72-unit, 6-story residential building in Jamaica, Queens, built in 1939 and currently managed by owner Maria Rojas. The property has experienced several concerning maintenance issues in recent months, particularly regarding essential services. In 2025 alone, there were multiple complaints about heat and hot water issues (January and February 2025), along with ongoing electrical problems related to lighting (January 2025), and a significant water leak complaint from December 2024.

During this same period, the building also faced plumbing issues affecting multiple units, including problems with bathtubs/showers and sinks. The building has a documented history of maintenance challenges, particularly evident during inspections in 2022-2023. Apartment 5B had various issues requiring attention, including bathroom fixture repairs and plaster surface maintenance. Apartment 6K, inspected in 2022, required multiple corrections including lead paint hazard remediation, ceiling repairs, and mold abatement.

Several emergency violations were issued regarding elevator safety concerns in 2020, though these were subsequently resolved. The property has experienced periodic bedbug infestations, with the most recent reports (2023-2024) documenting infestations in 2 units, though all were successfully eradicated. The building's maintenance record shows a mixture of resolved and ongoing issues, with some violations remaining open for extended periods. While there have been numerous complaints and violations, proper follow-up inspections and resolutions appear to have taken place for many of these issues, though some recent maintenance problems suggest continuing challenges with building systems and response times.