12-56 Central Avenue, Queens, NY 11691

The 24-unit, 4-story New Law Tenement building at 12-56 Central Avenue in Far Rockaway, owned by Joseph Kohler, has experienced several significant maintenance and safety issues over the past two years (2023-2025). Most recently, in December 2024, there was a smoking violation addressed by the DOHMH, and in November 2023, a heat and hot water complaint was filed but could not be inspected by HPD. A concerning cluster of safety issues was documented in October 2023, including inspections for carbon monoxide detectors, smoke detectors, and window guard conditions, though no violations were issued.

The building has also faced pest-related challenges, with multiple complaints about unsanitary conditions and pests in September and October 2023, some of which HPD could not access to inspect. Earlier inspections revealed problems in Apartment A4 in December 2021, with violations related to door security and a roach infestation that were subsequently certified as corrected. The property has maintained a relatively good record regarding bedbug management, with no reported infestations since the 2020-2021 period, when one unit was affected and treated.

The most recent building inspection in May 2025, following a complaint about shaking/vibrating, found no violations. Historical records show consistent efforts to address rodent issues, with passing inspections in 2023 and 2014, and significant pest issues were primarily concentrated in 2018-2020, with multiple units affected at times. The building's documentation shows persistent maintenance challenges requiring attention to basic services, safety systems, and pest control, while regulatory inspections have generally found conditions to be addressed, even if access was sometimes limited during complaint investigations.