155-40 79th Street, Queens, NY 11414

The three-story, three-unit building at 155-40 79th Street in Howard Beach, owned by John Chau and constructed in 1980, has experienced persistent maintenance issues over the past three years. Most critically, as of February 2025, there are two open emergencies involving water leaks and heat/hot water problems. The building has a significant number of water-related complaints, with multiple instances of heavy flow leaks recorded between 2024-2025, including a recent complaint from February 2025 that remains unresolved.

In August 2024, serious violations were documented in apartment C (3rd floor) including mouse and roach infestations, bathroom and kitchen maintenance issues, and problems with the bell buzzer/intercom system. The building's infrastructure has also been a concern, with documented roof leakage affecting the third-floor public hall. The property has faced scrutiny from various agencies, including the Department of Buildings, which issued three citations in February 2022 related to unauthorized occupancy modifications and failure to maintain the property, though these were later resolved without fines.

Two rodent inspections in early 2022 resulted in failures for unspecified reasons, indicating potential pest control challenges. While there were no documented bedbug infestations during the 2020-2021 reporting period, the building's overall maintenance record suggests ongoing habitability challenges requiring attention. The property has had some success in resolving certain complaints, as evidenced by multiple closed cases where no violations were found upon inspection, including several water leak and door/window complaints from 2024, though these suggest recurring infrastructure issues.