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534 WEST 159 STREET, Manhattan

Building Health Grade: D (31/100)

Year Built: 1913 · Units: 10

534 West 159 Street

Manhattan 10032

D

0

D

0

Health Score

Higher is better. Based on 26 data sources across violations, complaints, permits, sales, and legal records.

High Confidence

This building has significant issues — we recommend careful review

Multiple issues found. We recommend getting answers on open violations before committing.

534 West 159 Street is a walkup apartment building built in 1913 in Manhattan with 10 residential units. It has a Grade D health score, reflecting significant maintenance and compliance concerns, driven by 26 open Class C hazardous violations and a history of heat and hot water complaints. Our analysis reviewed 1,711 records across 26 public data sources, benchmarked against similar mid-sized prewar residential buildings in NYC.

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vs Neighborhood (10032)

809 buildings in this zip code

15th

Better than 15% of buildings in 10032

Bottom tier

Avg score: 60

WorstBest in 10032

Alerts

Open Critical Violations

This building has unresolved Class C (immediately hazardous) violations that require urgent repair.

Chronic Heat/Hot Water Issues

This building has a pattern of repeated heat or hot water complaints — a sign of persistent neglect.

Severe Heat/Hot Water Crisis

10+ heat or hot water complaints filed in the past year. Tenants are likely experiencing ongoing outages.

HPD Legal Action

The city's Housing Preservation department has taken legal action against this building's owner.

Litigation Floor Moderate

This flag was detected in our analysis of this building.

Score Breakdown

Living ConditionsBased on housing violations — things like heat, hot water, pests, mold

18Critical

Building SafetyStructural issues, fire safety, elevator problems, code violations

No issues

Complaint BurdenHow often residents call 311 or file complaints about this building

3Critical

Management QualityHow quickly the owner fixes problems and maintains the building

88Good

Financial HealthTax liens, water debt, unpaid city charges

No issues

Legal & EnforcementCity lawsuits and legal actions against the building owner

17Critical

Maintenance HistoryBoiler, facade, and routine upkeep inspection records

No issues

Violations by Year↓ Improving

Total: 530 violations · Peak: 125 in 2022

Event Activity by Category

Complaints

1030

Violations

530

Inspections

64

Financial

48

Permits

14

Legal

13

Compliance

12

Total: 1711 events across 7 categories

Key Statistics

519

Housing Violations→

(84 open)

City-documented problems with living conditions

2.8x neighborhood avg

26

Class C (Hazardous)→

Immediately dangerous conditions requiring urgent repair

2.9x neighborhood avg

8

Building Violations→

Department of Buildings code violations

Near average

92

Building Complaints→

Building-related 311 complaints (housing, safety, maintenance — excludes noise, parking, street)

Near average

6

Permits Issued→

Approved construction or renovation work

Near average

1913

Built 113 years ago

↑Improving — 23 violations this year vs 29 last year

Sale History

Ownership changes, mortgages, and financial transactions recorded for this property.

Feb 3, 2026

DEEDO - $500 — $500

Recorded

CRFN: 2026000033301

Dec 29, 2016

Agreement — $10,630,899.64

Recorded

CRFN: 2016000463451

Jul 29, 2014

Agreement — $10,705,500

Recorded

CRFN: 2014000250142

Jul 29, 2014

Tax Lien & Release

Recorded

CRFN: 2014000250145

Jul 29, 2014

Assignment of Lease & Rents — $10,705,500

Recorded

CRFN: 2014000250143

Jul 29, 2014

Mortgage — $3,055,500

Recorded

CRFN: 2014000250141

Apr 24, 2013

Mortgage — $7,650,000

Recorded

CRFN: 2013000162206

Apr 18, 2013

Satisfaction of Mortgage

Recorded

CRFN: 2013000154744

Jan 6, 2012

Assignment of Lease & Rents

Recorded

CRFN: 2012000005963

Jan 6, 2012

Deed Transfer — $8,652,281.9

Recorded

CRFN: 2012000005960

Jan 6, 2012

Assignment

Recorded

CRFN: 2012000005961

May 21, 2008

Assignment of Lease & Rents — $7,245,000

Recorded

CRFN: 2008000206613

May 21, 2008

Agreement — $7,245,000

Recorded

CRFN: 2008000206612

May 21, 2008

Mortgage — $2,811,490.24

Recorded

CRFN: 2008000206611

May 21, 2008

Assignment of Lease & Rents — $966,000

Recorded

CRFN: 2008000206615

May 21, 2008

Assignment

Recorded

CRFN: 2008000206610

Apr 25, 2008

Deed Transfer — $10,000,000

Recorded

CRFN: 2008000166752

Aug 15, 2006

Deed Transfer — $6,500,000

Recorded

CRFN: 2006000461461

Aug 31, 2004

Assignment

Recorded

CRFN: 2004000542556

Aug 31, 2004

Agreement — $4,612,500

Recorded

CRFN: 2004000542559

Aug 31, 2004

Mortgage — $2,925,625.85

Recorded

CRFN: 2004000542558

Aug 31, 2004

Assignment

Recorded

CRFN: 2004000542557

Sep 7, 1999

Agreement

Recorded

Sep 7, 1999

Mortgage — $830,465

Recorded

Sep 7, 1999

Assignment

Recorded

Sep 21, 1998

Assignment

Recorded

Feb 26, 1996

Assignment

Recorded

Jul 10, 1992

Agreement

Recorded

Jul 2, 1992

Deed Transfer

Recorded

Jul 18, 1991

Assignment

Recorded

Aug 20, 1990

Satisfaction of Agreement

Recorded

Jul 30, 1990

Agreement

Recorded

Jul 30, 1990

Mortgage — $1,021,000

Recorded

Jul 30, 1990

Assignment

Recorded

Jul 30, 1990

Assignment

Recorded

Apr 26, 1990

Assignment

Recorded

Nov 3, 1989

Assignment

Recorded

Jun 16, 1989

Mortgage — $100,000

Recorded

May 9, 1989

Deed Transfer

Recorded

Apr 20, 1989

Mortgage — $300,000

Recorded

Mar 28, 1986

Mortgage — $61,489.4

Recorded

Sep 6, 1983

Assignment

Recorded

May 20, 1983

PAT

Recorded

Date unknown

Deed Transfer

Recorded

Date unknown

Deed Transfer

Recorded

No tax liens found for this property.

Litigation History

Legal actions taken by the city against this building's owner for failure to maintain safe conditions.

Nov 16, 2023

Tenant Action — RH 534 WEST 159 STREET LLC (Judgment entered)

CLOSED

Case Type: Tenant Action

Case Status: CLOSED

Judgment: YES

Case Opened: Nov 16, 2023

Oct 2, 2023

Tenant Action — RH 534 WEST 159 STREET LLC

CLOSED

Case Type: Tenant Action

Case Status: CLOSED

Judgment: NO

Case Opened: Oct 2, 2023

Jun 20, 2023

Comprehensive — JUDA STERN,RH 534 WEST 159 STREET LLC,SANDY POKLAR

PENDING

Case Type: Comprehensive

Case Status: PENDING

Judgment: NO

Case Opened: Jun 20, 2023

Mar 28, 2022

Tenant Action — RH 534 WEST 159 STREET LP

CLOSED

Case Type: Tenant Action

Case Status: CLOSED

Judgment: NO

Case Opened: Mar 28, 2022

Jan 27, 2022

Tenant Action — RH 534 WEST 159 STREET LP

CLOSED

Case Type: Tenant Action

Case Status: CLOSED

Judgment: NO

Case Opened: Jan 27, 2022

Jan 12, 2022

Tenant Action — THE CLEARSTONE GROUP INCORPORATED

CLOSED

Case Type: Tenant Action

Case Status: CLOSED

Judgment: NO

Case Opened: Jan 12, 2022

Dec 30, 2021

Tenant Action — THE CLEAR STONE GROUP

CLOSED

Case Type: Tenant Action

Case Status: CLOSED

Judgment: NO

Case Opened: Dec 30, 2021

Apr 21, 2017

Heat and Hot Water — JONATHAN RAMIREZ,MARK SILBER,RH 534 WEST 159 STREET LP

CLOSED

Case Type: Heat and Hot Water

Case Status: CLOSED

Judgment: NO

Case Opened: Apr 21, 2017

May 7, 2015

Tenant Action — CVRE 528-538 WEST 159TH STREET LLC

CLOSED

Case Type: Tenant Action

Case Status: CLOSED

Judgment: NO

Case Opened: May 7, 2015

Jan 21, 2015

Tenant Action — B S D EQUITIES ET AL,FRANK ORTIZ

CLOSED

Case Type: Tenant Action

Case Status: CLOSED

Judgment: NO

Case Opened: Jan 21, 2015

Jan 4, 2011

Heat and Hot Water — H HEIDEN LLC,JOEL KOHN

CLOSED

Case Type: Heat and Hot Water

Case Status: CLOSED

Judgment: NO

Case Opened: Jan 4, 2011

Nov 14, 2006

Access Warrant - Non-Lead — HARLEM 159 LLC,JACK JAFFA,STEVEN NEUMAN

CLOSED

Case Type: Access Warrant - Non-Lead

Case Status: CLOSED

Judgment: NO

Case Opened: Nov 14, 2006

Jan 27, 2006

Heat and Hot Water — 528-538 WEST 159 ST LLC,CARLOS ACOSTA,MOISHE PILLER

CLOSED

Case Type: Heat and Hot Water

Case Status: CLOSED

Judgment: NO

Case Opened: Jan 27, 2006

Complete record of violations, complaints, permits, and other events for this building, newest first.

High Priority (7)

Complaint

Mar 13, 2026• 1 month ago

OPEN

HEAT/HOT WATER — APARTMENT ONLY [EMERGENCY] (Apt 3A)

Type: EMERGENCY

Apartment: 3A

Space Type: ENTIRE APARTMENT

Unit Type: APARTMENT

Complaint Status: OPEN

Problem Status: CLOSE

Received Date: Mar 11, 2026

Resolution: The Department of Housing Preservation and Development was not able to gain access to your apartment or others in the building to inspect for a lack of heat or hot water. The complaint has been closed. If the condition still exists, please file a new

Complaint

Mar 9, 2026• 1 month ago

OPEN

HEAT/HOT WATER — APARTMENT ONLY [EMERGENCY] (Apt 2B)

Type: EMERGENCY

Apartment: 2B

Space Type: ENTIRE APARTMENT

Unit Type: APARTMENT

Complaint Status: OPEN

Problem Status: CLOSE

Received Date: Mar 7, 2026

Resolution: HPD responded to a complaint of no heat or hot water. Heat was not required at the time of the inspection because the outside temperature was above 55° F; by law, violations can only be issued if the outside temperature is below 55 degrees. No violat

Complaint

Mar 3, 2026• 1 month ago

OPEN

PLUMBING — TOILET [EMERGENCY] (Apt 4D)

Type: EMERGENCY

Apartment: 4D

Space Type: BATHROOM

Unit Type: APARTMENT

Complaint Status: OPEN

Problem Status: OPEN

Received Date: Mar 3, 2026

Resolution: The following complaint conditions are still open. HPD has already attempted to notify the property owner that the condition exists; the tenant should provide access for the owner to make the repair. HPD may attempt to contact the tenant by phone to

Complaint

Feb 26, 2026• 1 month ago

OPEN

PLUMBING — TOILET [EMERGENCY] (Apt 4D)

Type: EMERGENCY

Apartment: 4D

Space Type: BATHROOM

Unit Type: APARTMENT

Complaint Status: OPEN

Problem Status: OPEN

Received Date: Feb 25, 2026

Resolution: The following complaint conditions are still open. HPD has already attempted to notify the property owner that the condition exists; the tenant should provide access for the owner to make the repair. HPD may attempt to contact the tenant by phone to

Complaint

Jan 20, 2026• 2 months ago

CLOSE

HEAT/HOT WATER — ENTIRE BUILDING [EMERGENCY] (Apt BLDG)

Type: EMERGENCY

Apartment: BLDG

Space Type: BUILDING-WIDE

Unit Type: BUILDING-WIDE

Complaint Status: CLOSE

Problem Status: CLOSE

Received Date: Jan 18, 2026

Resolution: The Department of Housing Preservation and Development contacted a tenant in the building and verified that the following conditions were corrected. The complaint has been closed. If the condition still exists, please file a new complaint.

Complaint

Jan 17, 2026• 2 months ago

CLOSE

UNSANITARY CONDITION — MOLD [EMERGENCY] (Apt 2D)

Type: EMERGENCY

Apartment: 2D

Space Type: BEDROOM

Unit Type: APARTMENT

Complaint Status: CLOSE

Problem Status: CLOSE

Received Date: Jan 2, 2026

Resolution: HPD conducted an inspection of this complaint. The conditions observed by the inspector did not violate the housing laws enforced by HPD. The complaint has been closed.

Complaint

Jan 17, 2026• 2 months ago

CLOSE

HEAT/HOT WATER — ENTIRE BUILDING [EMERGENCY] (Apt 2B)

Type: EMERGENCY

Apartment: 2B

Space Type: BUILDING-WIDE

Unit Type: BUILDING-WIDE

Complaint Status: CLOSE

Problem Status: CLOSE

Received Date: Jan 14, 2026

Resolution: HPD responded to a complaint of no heat or hot water in the building. An occupant of the building confirmed heat and hot water had been restored when the Inspector attempted to conduct the inspection or contacted you at the phone number associated wi

Medium Priority (4)

Complaint

Apr 9, 2026• 7 days ago

OPEN

WATER LEAK — SLOW LEAK [NON EMERGENCY] (Apt 2D)

Type: NON EMERGENCY

Apartment: 2D

Space Type: BEDROOM

Unit Type: APARTMENT

Complaint Status: OPEN

Problem Status: CLOSE

Received Date: Dec 10, 2025

Resolution: HPD attempted to conduct an inspection in response to this complaint, but was unable to complete the inspection. Please submit a new service request with 311 if the condition still exists. For more information on the reason why HPD was unable to insp

Complaint

Mar 19, 2026• 28 days ago

OPEN

GENERAL — CABINET [NON EMERGENCY] (Apt 2A)

Type: NON EMERGENCY

Apartment: 2A

Space Type: KITCHEN

Unit Type: APARTMENT

Complaint Status: OPEN

Problem Status: OPEN

Received Date: Mar 19, 2026

Resolution: The following complaint conditions are still open. HPD has already attempted to notify the property owner that the condition exists; the tenant should provide access for the owner to make the repair. HPD may attempt to contact the tenant by phone to

Complaint

Mar 19, 2026• 28 days ago

OPEN

UNSANITARY CONDITION — PESTS [NON EMERGENCY] (Apt 2A)

Type: NON EMERGENCY

Apartment: 2A

Space Type: ENTIRE APARTMENT

Unit Type: APARTMENT

Complaint Status: OPEN

Problem Status: OPEN

Received Date: Mar 19, 2026

Resolution: The following complaint conditions are still open. HPD has already attempted to notify the property owner that the condition exists; the tenant should provide access for the owner to make the repair. HPD may attempt to contact the tenant by phone to

Complaint

Mar 19, 2026• 28 days ago

OPEN

PLUMBING — BATHTUB/SHOWER [NON EMERGENCY] (Apt 2A)

Type: NON EMERGENCY

Apartment: 2A

Space Type: BATHROOM

Unit Type: APARTMENT

Complaint Status: OPEN

Problem Status: OPEN

Received Date: Mar 19, 2026

Resolution: The following complaint conditions are still open. HPD has already attempted to notify the property owner that the condition exists; the tenant should provide access for the owner to make the repair. HPD may attempt to contact the tenant by phone to

Informational (1)

Property Sale

Feb 3, 2026• 2 months ago

Recorded

DEEDO - $500 — $500

CRFN: 2026000033301

Other Events (8)

311 Complaint

Mar 19, 2026• 28 days ago

OPEN

CABINET

Complaint Type: GENERAL

Descriptor: CABINET

Descriptor2: DAMAGED OR MISSING

Resolution Description: The following complaint conditions are still open. HPD has already attempted to notify the property owner that the condition exists; the tenant should provide access for the owner to make the repair.

Agency: Department of Housing Preservation and Development

Location Type: RESIDENTIAL BUILDING

311 Complaint

Mar 19, 2026• 28 days ago

OPEN

PESTS

Complaint Type: UNSANITARY CONDITION

Descriptor: PESTS

Descriptor2: MICE

Resolution Description: The following complaint conditions are still open. HPD has already attempted to notify the property owner that the condition exists; the tenant should provide access for the owner to make the repair.

Agency: Department of Housing Preservation and Development

Location Type: RESIDENTIAL BUILDING

311 Complaint

Mar 19, 2026• 28 days ago

OPEN

BATHTUB/SHOWER

Complaint Type: PLUMBING

Descriptor: BATHTUB/SHOWER

Descriptor2: CHIPPED OR RUSTED

Resolution Description: The following complaint conditions are still open. HPD has already attempted to notify the property owner that the condition exists; the tenant should provide access for the owner to make the repair.

Agency: Department of Housing Preservation and Development

Location Type: RESIDENTIAL BUILDING

311 Complaint

Mar 11, 2026• 1 month ago

OPEN

APARTMENT ONLY

Complaint Type: HEAT/HOT WATER

Descriptor: APARTMENT ONLY

Descriptor2: NO HEAT AND NO HOT WATER

Resolution Description: The following complaint conditions are still open. HPD has already attempted to notify the property owner that the condition exists; the tenant should provide access for the owner to make the repair.

Agency: Department of Housing Preservation and Development

Location Type: RESIDENTIAL BUILDING

311 Complaint

Mar 7, 2026• 1 month ago

OPEN

APARTMENT ONLY

Complaint Type: HEAT/HOT WATER

Descriptor: APARTMENT ONLY

Descriptor2: NO HOT WATER

Resolution Description: The following complaint conditions are still open. HPD has already attempted to notify the property owner that the condition exists; the tenant should provide access for the owner to make the repair.

Agency: Department of Housing Preservation and Development

Location Type: RESIDENTIAL BUILDING

311 Complaint

Mar 3, 2026• 1 month ago

OPEN

TOILET

Complaint Type: PLUMBING

Descriptor: TOILET

Descriptor2: BOWL STOPPED UP

Resolution Description: The following complaint conditions are still open. HPD has already attempted to notify the property owner that the condition exists; the tenant should provide access for the owner to make the repair.

Agency: Department of Housing Preservation and Development

Location Type: RESIDENTIAL BUILDING

311 Complaint

Feb 26, 2026• 1 month ago

OPEN

TOILET

Complaint Type: PLUMBING

Descriptor: TOILET

Descriptor2: BOWL STOPPED UP

Resolution Description: The following complaint conditions are still open. HPD has already attempted to notify the property owner that the condition exists; the tenant should provide access for the owner to make the repair.

Agency: Department of Housing Preservation and Development

Location Type: RESIDENTIAL BUILDING

311 Complaint

Jan 18, 2026• 2 months ago

CLOSED

ENTIRE BUILDING

Complaint Type: HEAT/HOT WATER

Descriptor: ENTIRE BUILDING

Descriptor2: NO HEAT AND NO HOT WATER

Resolution Description: The Department of Housing Preservation and Development contacted a tenant in the building and verified that the following conditions were corrected. The complaint has been closed. If the condition sti

Closed Date: Jan 20, 2026

Agency: Department of Housing Preservation and Development

Location Type: RESIDENTIAL BUILDING

Property Details

Year Built

1913

Total Units

10

Residential Units

10

Building Class

C4

Location

BBL

1021170019

Zipcode

10032

Location

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Property Owner

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This report is an informational tool based on publicly available government records and does not constitute a “consumer report” under the Fair Credit Reporting Act. Building grades are editorial opinions and should not be used as the sole basis for housing, lending, or employment decisions. Data sourced from HPD, DOB, DOF, ECB, FDNY, 311, and other NYC agencies. Report errors to data@openstoop.com. See our Terms and Privacy Policy.

534 West 159 Street, Manhattan — Grade D | OpenStoop