138 West 81 Street
Manhattan, NY 10024BBL 1-01211-0049Map
Owner of record: Alvarez, Norma D
138 West 81 Street is a walk-up apartment building built in 1887 in Manhattan, 10024. It has 10 residential units across 4 floors. The owner of record is Alvarez, Norma D. HPD has recorded 27 housing violations here, most recently on November 17, 2025. 8 of the 27 most recent violations are still open.
- HPD violations
- 27
- DOB violations
- 0
- ECB violations
- 0
- HPD complaints
- 13
What to know
Immediately hazardous issues among recent violations are still open.
Date of the most recent HPD inspection that found a problem.
No balance due on recent ECB violations.
Rent stabilization
No rent-stabilized units in 2018–2024 tax bills
Violations
Most recent first. Showing up to 50 per agency.
HPD housing violations · 27
- IInformation / order
And is therefore subject to civil penalties, prohibited from certifying violations, and denied the right to recover possession of premises for nonpayment of rent until a valid registration statement is filed.
Nov 17, 2025
Closed — Violation dismissed - IInformation / order
And is therefore subject to civil penalties, prohibited from certifying violations, and denied the right to recover possession of premises for nonpayment of rent until a valid registration statement is filed.
Nov 22, 2024
Closed — Violation dismissed - BHazardous
Properly repair with similar material the broken or defective brick and mortar joints at north wall in the 1st room from east located at apt 4b, 4th story, 1st apartment from south at west
Apr 16, 2024 · Apt 4B
Closed — Violation dismissed - BHazardous
Repair the roof so that it will not leak over ceiling in the 1st room from east located at apt 4b, 4th story, 1st apartment from south at west
Apr 16, 2024 · Apt 4B
Closed — Violation dismissed - BHazardous
Repair the broken or defective plastered surfaces and paint in a uniform color at ceiling in the 1st room from east located at apt 4b, 4th story, 1st apartment from south at west
Apr 16, 2024 · Apt 4B
Closed — Violation dismissed - ANon-hazardous
§ 300 m/d law file plans and application and legalize the following alteration or restore to the legal condition existing prior to the making of said alteration wood deck erected at 3rd story extension at roof in the 1st room from east located at apt 4b, 4th story, 1st apartment from south at west
Apr 16, 2024 · Apt 4B
Closed — Violation dismissed - BHazardous
Repair the roof so that it will not leak over ceiling in the 1st room from east located at apt 4b, 4th story, 1st apartment from south at west
Mar 22, 2024 · Apt 4B
Closed — Violation dismissed - CImmediately hazardous
Replace or repair the self-closing doors that is missing or defective hinges in the entrance located at apt 4b, 4th story, 1st apartment from south at west
Mar 22, 2024 · Apt 4B
Closed — Violation closed - IInformation / order
And is therefore subject to civil penalties, prohibited from certifying violations, and denied the right to recover possession of premises for nonpayment of rent until a valid registration statement is filed.
Nov 15, 2023
Closed — Violation dismissed - CImmediately hazardous
Install the missing or repair/replace the defective window guard(s) in accordance with the specifications of the new york city health code section 24 rcny chapter 12. wg to install = 1; wg to replace = 0; wg to repair = 0; in the entire apartment located at bsmt-apt b, 1st bsmt-apt from east at south
May 17, 2022 · Apt B
Closed — Violation dismissed
Show 17 more ↓
- BHazardous
Repair or replace the carbon monoxide detecting device(s). missing in the entire apartment located at bsmt-apt b, 1st bsmt-apt from east at south
May 17, 2022 · Apt B
Open — Nov sent out - BHazardous
Repair or replace the smoke detector missing in the entire apartment located at bsmt-apt b, 1st bsmt-apt from east at south
May 17, 2022 · Apt B
Open — Nov sent out - ANon-hazardous
Properly repair the source and abate the evidence of a water leak at south wall in the 22nd room from north located at bsmt-apt b, 1st bsmt-apt from east at south
May 17, 2022 · Apt B
Open — Invalid certification - ANon-hazardous
Repair the broken or defective plastered surfaces and paint in a uniform color at 1st closet from east at south wall wall in the 2nd room from north located at bsmt-apt b, 1st bsmt-apt from east at south
May 17, 2022 · Apt B
Open — Invalid certification - ANon-hazardous
Properly repair the source and abate the evidence of a water leak at ceiling in the 2nd room from north located at bsmt-apt b, 1st bsmt-apt from east at south
May 17, 2022 · Apt B
Open — Invalid certification - ANon-hazardous
Paint with light colored paint to the satisfaction of this department all peeling paint surfaces in the foyer , the 23rd room from north, the 22nd room from north, the 21st bathroom from north at east, the kitchen , the 2nd room from north located at bsmt-apt b, 1st bsmt-apt from east at south
May 17, 2022 · Apt B
Open — Invalid certification - ANon-hazardous
Post a proper notice of smoke detector requirements, in a form approved by the commissioner, at or near the mail box , improper sign posted at public hall, 1st story
Jan 28, 2020
Closed — Violation dismissed - ANon-hazardous
Post, in a form approved by the commissioner, and maintain a notice in a common area of the building regarding the procedures that should be followed when a gas leak is suspected at public hall, 1st story
Jan 28, 2020
Closed — Violation dismissed - ANon-hazardous
Post a proper notice of carbon monoxide detecting device requirements, in a form approved by the commissioner, in a common area of a class a multiple dwelling near inspection certificate or provide notice to tenants in a private dwelling. at public hall, 1st story
Jan 28, 2020
Closed — Violation dismissed - CImmediately hazardous
Post notice, in form approved by the department, stating the name and location of the person designated by the owner to have key to buildings heating system improper sign posted at public hall, 1st story
Jan 28, 2020
Open — Nov certified late - ANon-hazardous
Post a proper notice of smoke detector requirements, in a form approved by the commissioner, at or near the mail box .. at public hall, 1st story
Dec 1, 2018
Closed — Violation dismissed - ANon-hazardous
Post a proper notice of carbon monoxide detecting device requirements, in a form approved by the commissioner, in a common area of a class a multiple dwelling near inspection certificate or provide notice to tenants in a private dwelling. at public hall, 1st story
Dec 1, 2018
Closed — Violation dismissed - ANon-hazardous
Post and maintain a proper notice on wall of the entrance story in english and spanish on the availability of the agencys housing information guide. a sample notice can be found at www.nyc.gov/hpd. at public hall, 1st story
Dec 1, 2018
Closed — Violation dismissed - ANon-hazardous
Post, in a form approved by the commissioner, and maintain a notice in a common area of the building regarding the procedures that should be followed when a gas leak is suspected at public hall, 1st story
Dec 1, 2018
Closed — Violation dismissed - CImmediately hazardous
Post notice, in form approved by the department, stating the name and location of the person designated by the owner to have key to buildings heating system .. at public hall, 1st story
Dec 1, 2018
Open — Not complied with - ANon-hazardous
Post and maintain a proper sign on wall of entrance story showing the registration number assigned by the department and the address of the building. at public hall, 1st story
Dec 1, 2018
Closed — Violation dismissed - IInformation / order
And is therefore subject to civil penalties, prohibited from certifying violations, and denied the right to recover possession of premises for nonpayment of rent until a valid registration statement is filed.
Oct 26, 2016
Closed — Violation dismissed
DOB building violations · 0
No DOB violations on record
ECB violations · 0
No ECB violations on record
Complaints
- Water leak
Heavy flow
Mar 9, 2024 · Apt 4B
Close - Paint/plaster
Wall
May 9, 2022 · Apt B
Close - Unsanitary condition
Garbage/recycling storage
May 23, 2019 · Apt BLDG
Close - General
Signage missing
May 23, 2019 · Apt BLDG
Close - Safety
Fire escape
Nov 17, 2018 · Apt BLDG
Close - General
Signage missing
Nov 17, 2018 · Apt BLDG
Close - Unsanitary condition
Garbage/recycling storage
Nov 17, 2018 · Apt BLDG
Close - Unsanitary condition
Mold
Nov 17, 2018 · Apt ALL
Close - Electric
Wiring
Nov 17, 2018 · Apt ALL
Close - Unsanitary condition
Pests
Nov 17, 2018 · Apt ALL
Close
Show 3 more ↓
- Paint/plaster
Ceiling
Aug 7, 2016 · Apt 3B
Close - Unsanitary condition
Mold
Aug 7, 2016 · Apt 3B
Close - Heat/hot water
Entire building
Nov 10, 2015 · Apt BLDG
Close
Sales history
No recorded sales in our data
Building details
- Building type
- Walk-up apartment building (C5)
- Year built
- 1887
- Floors
- 4
- Residential units
- 10
- Building area
- 6,440 ft²
- Lot area
- 1,941 ft²
- Zoning
- R8B
- Community board
- 107
- Council district
- 6
- Block / lot
- 1211 / 49
- Assessed value
- $2,260,800
- Landmark / historic district
- Upper West Side / Central Park West Historic District
HPD registration #130300, last renewed Dec 30, 2025.
Questions about 138 West 81 Street
Who owns 138 West 81 Street?
The owner of record in NYC Department of City Planning PLUTO data is Alvarez, Norma D.
Does 138 West 81 Street have violations?
Yes. NYC HPD has recorded 27 housing violations at this property.
Is 138 West 81 Street rent stabilized?
No rent-stabilized units appear in its 2018–2024 tax bills. Individual apartments can still be regulated, so request the rent history from NYS Homes and Community Renewal if unsure.
When was 138 West 81 Street built?
City records list 1887 as the year it was built.
How many apartments are in 138 West 81 Street?
It has 10 residential units.
Source: NYC Open Data (DCP PLUTO, HPD, DOB, ECB/OATH, DOF). Records can lag the city's systems. Data refreshed weekly.