2 Highland Court, Queens, NY 11691

The two-family house at 2 Highland Court in Far Rockaway, owned by Jamal Abel and constructed in 1920, has experienced persistent heating system issues and significant regulatory challenges over recent years. Most notably, there have been two documented instances of heat and hot water complaints in 2022 and 2023, with the most recent incident in November 2023 requiring HPD intervention to verify corrections.

In 2023, serious violations were identified regarding illegal living space conversion, including improper use of a cellar area with plumbing fixtures and an unauthorized cooking space, leading to an active Environmental Control Board violation with a $1,250 penalty that remains due. The building has a documented history of attempted inspections regarding illegal conversion complaints between 2019 and 2024, with multiple access denial incidents, though one 2019 complaint resulted in an Oath Violation being served.

The property has undergone multiple investigations into its occupancy status, with findings suggesting unauthorized conversion from a private dwelling to a multiple dwelling, and the presence of an illegal Class "A" apartment in the cellar area with unauthorized kitchen facilities. In April 2023, several violations were issued under the Administrative Code, including illegal living space use, unauthorized plumbing fixtures, and illegal cooking facilities, though most of these violations were subsequently listed as closed following certification. The building's heating system problems, particularly in late 2022 and late 2023, suggest ongoing maintenance challenges impacting resident comfort, though the most recent heating complaint was resolved promptly through HPD intervention.