521 West 159 Street
Manhattan, NY 10032BBL 1-02118-0050Map
Owner of record: 515 New Life Housing Development Fund Co Rporation
521 West 159 Street is a walk-up apartment building built in 1905 in Manhattan, 10032. It has 20 residential units across 5 floors. The owner of record is 515 New Life Housing Development Fund Co Rporation. HPD has recorded 311 housing violations here, most recently on August 26, 2026. 25 of the 50 most recent violations are still open. City tax records listed 20 rent-stabilized apartments here in 2024.
- HPD violations
- 311
- DOB violations
- 3
- ECB violations
- 7
- HPD complaints
- 210
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
Counts come from owners' rent-stabilization filings shown on NYC Department of Finance tax bills, as extracted by JustFix. They tell you a building has stabilized apartments, not which ones.
Think your apartment is stabilized? Request its rent history from HCR (free), then check your renewal with the renewal calculator.
Violations
Most recent first. Showing up to 50 per agency.
HPD housing violations · 311
- CImmediately hazardous
Abate the infestation consisting of roaches at public hall
Aug 26, 2026
Open — Defect letter issued - BHazardous
And dept. rules and regulations. remove the encumbrance obstructing egress from fire escapes household items on 1st, 2nd and 3rd story balconies at rear at fire escape
Aug 26, 2026
Open — Nov sent out - BHazardous
Provide door knob/handle at roof bulkhead door for re-entry
Aug 26, 2026
Open — Nov sent out - BHazardous
Provide security in the event of a power outage by means of an acceptable mechanical heavy duty lock and latch set at vestibule door at public hall, 1st story
Aug 26, 2026
Open — Nov sent out - ANon-hazardous
Post a proper notice regarding rent stabilization law, in a form approved by the commissioner, in a conspicuous location within the common area at the buildings entrance. for more information about signage requirements, please visit: https://www.nyc.gov/site/hpd/services-and-information/required-signage.page
Aug 26, 2026
Open — Nov sent out - BHazardous
Properly repair or replace the broken or defective 1st cement riser from bottom at stairs leading east yard at public hall stairs, 1st story, section ''east''
Aug 26, 2026
Open — Nov sent out - BHazardous
Properly repair or replace the broken or defective window counter balance lower sash at 1st window from north at west in the 1st room from north at east located at apt 21, 2nd story, 2nd apartment from west at north
Aug 26, 2026 · Apt 21
Open — Civ14 mailed - ANon-hazardous
Repair the broken or defective plastered surfaces and paint in a uniform color at ceiling and north wall in the bathroom located at apt 21, 2nd story, 2nd apartment from west at north
Aug 26, 2026 · Apt 21
Open — Nov sent out - BHazardous
Fire egress defective. remove the obstruction in fireproof passageway consisting of construction material and rubbish at 1st fire passage way from east
Aug 26, 2026
Open — Nov certified on time - CImmediately hazardous
Remove the illegal fastening consisting of and unacceptable electromagnetic locking device installed at vestibule door at public hall, 1st story
Aug 26, 2026
Open — Nov sent out
Show 40 more ↓
- ANon-hazardous
Repair the broken or defective plastered surfaces and paint in a uniform color at ceiling in the 3rd room from north at east located at apt 54, 5th story, 1st apartment from east at south
Aug 26, 2026 · Apt 54
Open — Nov sent out - BHazardous
Repair the roof so that it will not leak at ceiling in the 3rd room from north at east located at apt 54, 5th story, 1st apartment from east at south
Aug 26, 2026 · Apt 54
Open — Nov sent out - CImmediately hazardous
Properly repair or replace the broken or defective glass pane upper sash at 1st window from north at west in the 1st room from north at east located at apt 21, 2nd story, 2nd apartment from west at north
Aug 26, 2026 · Apt 21
Open — Nov sent out - ANon-hazardous
Properly repair the source and abate the evidence of a water leak at ceiling and north wall in the bathroom located at apt 21, 2nd story, 2nd apartment from west at north
Aug 26, 2026 · Apt 21
Open — Nov sent out - ANon-hazardous
Properly repair with similar material the broken or defective vinyl floor tiles in the kitchen located at apt 1, 1st story, 2nd apartment from west at north
Aug 26, 2026 · Apt 1
Open — Nov sent out - BHazardous
Properly repair the source and abate the evidence of a water leak at ceiling in the bathroom located at apt 21, 2nd story, 2nd apartment from west at north
Jul 6, 2026 · Apt 21
Open — Nov sent out - BHazardous
Properly repair with similar material the broken or defective knob to radiator shut off valve in the 1st room from north at east located at apt 42, 4th story, 1st apartment from west at north
Apr 10, 2026 · Apt 42
Closed — Violation dismissed - BHazardous
Repair the leaky and/or defective faucets at the wash basin in the bathroom located at apt 42, 4th story, 1st apartment from west at north
Apr 10, 2026 · Apt 42
Closed — Violation dismissed - BHazardous
Repair the leaky and/or defective faucets at the sink in the kitchen located at apt 42, 4th story, 1st apartment from west at north
Apr 10, 2026 · Apt 42
Closed — Violation dismissed - CImmediately hazardous
Provide an adequate supply of heat from an approved central heating system, or an approved system of gas or electrical heating in good operating condition for the dwelling unit in the entire apartment located at apt 42, 4th story, 1st apartment from west at north
Apr 10, 2026 · Apt 42
Closed — Violation dismissed - BHazardous
Repair, replace or provide an approved and operational smoke detecting device, installed in accordance with department of buildings rules and regulations missing located at apt 33, 3rd story, 2nd apartment from east at south
Mar 23, 2026 · Apt 33
Open — Nov sent out - BHazardous
Repair, replace or provide an approved and operational smoke detecting device, installed in accordance with department of buildings rules and regulations missing located at apt 23, 2nd story, 2nd apartment from east at south
Mar 23, 2026 · Apt 23
Open — Nov sent out - BHazardous
Repair the broken or defective plastered surfaces and paint in a uniform color the ceiling in the bathroom located at apt 33, 3rd story, 2nd apartment from east at south
Mar 23, 2026 · Apt 33
Open — Nov sent out - BHazardous
Repair the broken or defective plastered surfaces and paint in a uniform color the ceiling in the kitchen located at apt 23, 2nd story, 2nd apartment from east at south
Mar 23, 2026 · Apt 23
Open — Nov sent out - ANon-hazardous
Properly repair with similar material the broken or defective porcelain enamel finish by method of reglazing at bathtub in the bathroom located at apt 33, 3rd story, 2nd apartment from east at south
Mar 23, 2026 · Apt 33
Open — Nov sent out - BHazardous
Properly repair with similar material the broken or defective ceramic floor tiles in the kitchen located at apt 23, 2nd story, 2nd apartment from east at south
Mar 23, 2026 · Apt 23
Open — Nov sent out - BHazardous
Properly repair or replace the broken or defective counter balance at lower sash window at south in the 2nd room from east located at apt 3, 1st story, 1st apartment from south at west
Jan 23, 2026 · Apt 3
Open — Nov sent out - BHazardous
Properly repair or replace the broken or defective latch set at building entrance door
Jan 23, 2026
Closed — Violation closed - CImmediately hazardous
Replace or repair the self-closing doors that is missing or defective latch set at building entrance door
Jan 23, 2026
Closed — Violation closed - CImmediately hazardous
Replace or repair the self-closing doors that is missing or defective latch set at building entrance door
Jan 19, 2026
Closed — Violation closed - BHazardous
Properly repair or replace the broken or defective latch set at building entrance door
Jan 19, 2026
Closed — Violation closed - CImmediately hazardous
Abate the infestation consisting of roaches in the entire apartment located at apt 21, 2nd story, 2nd apartment from west at north
Jan 10, 2026 · Apt 21
Closed — Violation dismissed - CImmediately hazardous
Remove all obstructions from water closet .. in the bathroom located at apt 21, 2nd story, 2nd apartment from west at north
Jan 10, 2026 · Apt 21
Closed — Violation dismissed - CImmediately hazardous
Replace or repair the self-closing doors that is missing or defective hinges at building entrance door
Sep 24, 2025
Closed — Violation closed - IInformation / order
The property has been issued an order to identify and address underlying conditions and violations related to the order. failure to comply may result in extensive repair work to correct underlying conditions and related violations by hpd. charges for repair work done pursuant to this order, if not paid, will become tax liens on the property
Sep 15, 2025
Open — Info nov sent out - ANon-hazardous
Repair the broken or defective plastered surfaces and paint in a uniform color at ceiling and all walls in the bathroom located at apt 1, 1st story, 1st apartment from west at north
Aug 15, 2025 · Apt 1
Open — Nov sent out - BHazardous
Properly repair the source and abate the evidence of a water leak at ceiling and north wall in the bathroom located at apt 1, 1st story, 1st apartment from west at north
Aug 15, 2025 · Apt 1
Closed — Violation dismissed - BHazardous
Properly repair the source and abate the evidence of a water leak at ceiling at public hall, 1st story
Aug 15, 2025
Closed — Violation closed - BHazardous
Properly repair with similar material the broken or defective fire retardant material on ceiling and east wall at roof bulkhead at public hall
Aug 15, 2025
Closed — Violation closed - BHazardous
Properly repair with similar material the broken or defective fire retardant material at ceiling at public hall, 1st story
Aug 15, 2025
Closed — Violation closed - CImmediately hazardous
Properly repair with similar material the broken or defective 5th marble stair tread from bottom up at stairs leading to east yard at public hall stairs, 1st story
Aug 15, 2025
Closed — Violation dismissed - CImmediately hazardous
Remove the illegal fastening unacceptable electromagnetic locking device installed at vestibule door at public hall, 1st story
Aug 15, 2025
Closed — Violation dismissed - BHazardous
Repair the roof so that it will not leak at ceiling and east wall at public hall
Aug 15, 2025
Closed — Violation closed - CImmediately hazardous
Replace or repair the self-closing doors that is missing or defective latch set at roof bulkhead door at public hall
Aug 15, 2025
Closed — Violation closed - BHazardous
Repair, replace or provide an approved and operational carbon monoxide detecting device, installed in accordance with applicable law and rules defective in the entire apartment located at apt 1, 1st story, 1st apartment from west at north
Aug 15, 2025 · Apt 1
Closed — Violation dismissed - ANon-hazardous
Paint with light colored paint to the satisfaction of this department at ceiling at public hall, 1st story
Aug 15, 2025
Closed — Violation closed - CImmediately hazardous
Properly repair with similar material the broken or defective 1st marble stair tread from bottom up at public hall stairs, 1st story
Aug 15, 2025
Closed — Violation dismissed - ANon-hazardous
Paint with light colored paint to the satisfaction of this department on ceiling and all walls at roof bulkhead at public hall
Aug 15, 2025
Closed — Violation closed - BHazardous
Properly repair or replace the broken or defective latch set at roof bulkhead door at public hall
Aug 15, 2025
Closed — Violation closed - BHazardous
Properly repair with similar material the broken or defective vinyl floor tiles in the kitchen located at apt 1, 1st story, 1st apartment from west at north
Aug 15, 2025 · Apt 1
Closed — Violation dismissed
DOB building violations · 3
- Low pressure boiler boiler required
Violation issued for failure to file annual boiler 2011 inspection report
Mar 1, 2013
Dob violation - dismissed - Boilers boiler required
Ll6291-local law 62/91 - boilers boiler required
Feb 10, 1997
Dob violation - dismissed - Boilers boiler required
Ll6291-local law 62/91 - boilers boiler required
Aug 29, 1995
Dob violation - dismissed
ECB violations · 7
- Class - 2
B254,16,36,48a,50a. 50a-restriction of fresh air.
Jul 7, 2017 · Penalty $2,500
Active - Class - 2
Occupancy contrary to that allowed by the c of o or building dept record. occupancy noted: vacant lot 50' x 100' currently occupied as public parking garage (attended) in r7-2 (general residence district)after
May 20, 2009
Resolve - Class - 1
Work w/o a permit. work noted: entire building demolished to grade w/o 1st obtaining permit & approvals. remedy: obtain permit to legalize existing condition.
May 20, 2009
Resolve - Hazardous
Hazardous. b4b,bq9,41c,50,a,b,c,d,e,f,g,h,i. bq9-uw carlin oil burner installed w/ no permit. 50-front flue door gasket defective. 50a-rear sighting glass missing. 50b-valve leaking left side boiler. 50c-quick
Jan 10, 2007 · Penalty $5,000
Active - Hazardous
B4b/9a/9b/16/28a/37/bq9/50a/50b/.50a-failure to file necessary permitsor plans w/dept of bldgs to replace oil burner.50b-rear phle on inspe ction door to be rewelded.
Jan 3, 2007
Resolve - Hazardous
Cease use. b4b,51,43,39,50a. b4b-hazardous boiler sooted & basement (sooted)51- boiler sealed .43-smoke box dirty. 39-excessive soot. 28-tubes blocked w. soot. 51-cease use.
Dec 9, 2006
Resolve - Non-hazardous
Failure to maintain exterior bldg. wall.noted:missing stones in retaining wall. location:rubblestone wall at east side of bldg. basement level.remedy: repair defects & maintian bldg. wall.
May 19, 2000 · Penalty $350
Resolve
Complaints
- Heat/hot water
Entire building
Oct 23, 2026 · Apt BLDG
Open - Heat/hot water
Entire building
Apr 8, 2026 · Apt APT42
Close - Heat/hot water
Apartment only
Jan 25, 2026 · Apt 21
Close - Door/window
Window frame
Jan 21, 2026 · Apt 3
Close - Heat/hot water
Apartment only
Jan 21, 2026 · Apt 3
Close - Heat/hot water
Entire building
Jan 17, 2026 · Apt BLDG
Close - Heat/hot water
Entire building
Jan 17, 2026 · Apt BLDG
Close - Heat/hot water
Entire building
Jan 17, 2026 · Apt 2
Close - Heat/hot water
Entire building
Jan 7, 2026 · Apt BLDG
Close - Heat/hot water
Entire building
Jan 3, 2026 · Apt 42
Close
Show 40 more ↓
- Heat/hot water
Entire building
Dec 31, 2025 · Apt BLDG
Close - Heat/hot water
Entire building
Dec 28, 2025 · Apt BLDG
Close - Water leak
Slow leak
Dec 26, 2025 · Apt 21
Close - Appliance
Electric/gas range
Dec 26, 2025 · Apt 21
Close - Heat/hot water
Apartment only
Dec 26, 2025 · Apt 21
Close - Plumbing
Toilet
Dec 26, 2025 · Apt 21
Close - Door/window
Door
Dec 26, 2025 · Apt 21
Close - Plumbing
Toilet
Dec 14, 2025 · Apt 21
Close - Water leak
Slow leak
Dec 14, 2025 · Apt 21
Close - Door/window
Door
Dec 14, 2025 · Apt 21
Close - Plumbing
Toilet
Sep 2, 2025 · Apt 24
Close - Plumbing
Toilet
Sep 2, 2025 · Apt 24
Close - Heat/hot water
Entire building
May 23, 2025 · Apt 42
Close - Unsanitary condition
Mold
Apr 2, 2025 · Apt 21
Close - General
Bell/buzzer/intercom
Apr 2, 2025 · Apt 21
Close - Door/window
Door
Apr 2, 2025 · Apt 21
Close - Water leak
Heavy flow
Apr 2, 2025 · Apt 21
Close - Safety
Smoke detector
Apr 2, 2025 · Apt 21
Close - Door/window
Window frame
Dec 23, 2024 · Apt 21
Close - Safety
Smoke detector
Dec 23, 2024 · Apt 21
Close - Plumbing
Basin/sink
Dec 23, 2024 · Apt 21
Close - Plumbing
Radiator
Dec 23, 2024 · Apt 21
Close - Heat/hot water
Apartment only
Dec 23, 2024 · Apt 21
Close - General
Bell/buzzer/intercom
Dec 23, 2024 · Apt 21
Close - Unsanitary condition
Mold
Dec 23, 2024 · Apt 21
Close - Door/window
Door
Dec 23, 2024 · Apt 21
Close - Water leak
Slow leak
Dec 23, 2024 · Apt 21
Close - Electric
Lighting
Oct 29, 2024 · Apt 24
Close - Electric
Wiring
Oct 29, 2024 · Apt 24
Close - Water leak
Slow leak
Oct 29, 2024 · Apt 24
Close - Paint/plaster
Wall
Oct 17, 2024 · Apt 3
Close - General
Cabinet
Oct 17, 2024 · Apt 3
Close - Flooring/stairs
Floor
Oct 17, 2024 · Apt 3
Close - Paint/plaster
Ceiling
Oct 17, 2024 · Apt 3
Close - Electric
Wiring
Sep 24, 2024 · Apt 24
Close - Safety
Window guard broken/missing
Sep 24, 2024 · Apt 24
Close - Paint/plaster
Ceiling
Aug 29, 2024 · Apt 3
Close - Unsanitary condition
Mold
Aug 29, 2024 · Apt 3
Close - Door/window
Window frame
Aug 29, 2024 · Apt 3
Close - Water leak
Slow leak
Aug 9, 2024 · Apt 24
Close
Sales history
No recorded sales in our data
Building details
- Building type
- Walk-up apartment building (C1)
- Year built
- 1905
- Floors
- 5
- Residential units
- 20
- Building area
- 17,620 ft²
- Lot area
- 4,996 ft²
- Zoning
- R7-2
- Community board
- 112
- Council district
- 10
- Block / lot
- 2118 / 50
- Assessed value
- $518,850
- Landmark / historic district
- No
HPD registration #119133, last renewed Oct 9, 2025.
Questions about 521 West 159 Street
Who owns 521 West 159 Street?
The owner of record in NYC Department of City Planning PLUTO data is 515 New Life Housing Development Fund Co Rporation.
Does 521 West 159 Street have violations?
Yes. NYC HPD has recorded 311 housing violations at this property.
Is 521 West 159 Street rent stabilized?
NYC Department of Finance tax bills listed 20 rent-stabilized units here in 2024 (about 100% of its 20 apartments). To confirm a specific apartment, request its rent history from NYS Homes and Community Renewal.
When was 521 West 159 Street built?
City records list 1905 as the year it was built.
How many apartments are in 521 West 159 Street?
It has 20 residential units.
Source: NYC Open Data (DCP PLUTO, HPD, DOB, ECB/OATH, DOF). Records can lag the city's systems. Data refreshed weekly.