Every year, millions of New York City residents submit 311 service requests to report issues in their homes—ranging from freezing winter nights without heat to rodent infestations, active mold, and plumbing failures. By analyzing over 1.8 million records in the NYC Open Data database, our research team identified the buildings that receive the highest volume of municipal compliance actions.
In this analysis, we look at the top 10 most complained-about buildings in NYC, the specific nature of their violations, and what tenants should look out for before signing a lease.
The Cost of Neglect: Heat, Rodents, and Plumbing
The vast majority of complaints filed with the Department of Housing Preservation and Development (HPD) center around vital services. Heat and hot water complaints consistently top the list, followed by hazardous mold, vermin infestations, and lead-based paint issues. For tenants in the city’s most troubled properties, these are daily realities rather than occasional inconveniences.
Below is a summary of the 10 buildings with the highest concentration of 311 complaint records over the past 12 months.
| Rank | Address | Borough | Neighborhood | Annual 311 Complaints | Open HPD Violations |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 93-01 197th Street | Queens | Hollis | 1,482 | 342 |
| 2 | 2040 Bronxdale Avenue | Bronx | Morris Park | 1,120 | 289 |
| 3 | 750 Grand Concourse | Bronx | Concourse | 985 | 412 |
| 4 | 1295 3rd Avenue | Manhattan | Upper East Side | 845 | 114 |
| 5 | 830 Linden Boulevard | Brooklyn | Flatbush | 798 | 215 |
| 6 | 311 Lincoln Place | Brooklyn | Prospect Heights | 722 | 196 |
| 7 | 2505 Olinville Avenue | Bronx | Williamsbridge | 694 | 148 |
| 8 | 1425 Dr Martin L King Jr Blvd | Bronx | Highbridge | 653 | 284 |
| 9 | 105-05 69th Avenue | Queens | Forest Hills | 610 | 89 |
| 10 | 9720 Kings Highway | Brooklyn | Brownsville | 587 | 176 |
Case Studies: Highlighting the Worst Offenders
93-01 197th Street, Queens
Located in Hollis, Queens, this large residential property received nearly 1,500 complaints in a single calendar year. HPD inspectors have repeatedly cited the landlord for a lack of hot water during winter months and a failure to remediate structural cracks leading to water leaks.
750 Grand Concourse, Bronx
A historic building steps from the Bronx County Courthouse, 750 Grand Concourse is currently burdened with over 400 open violations, more than 80 of which are Class C (immediately hazardous). Common issues include broken elevators, vermin, and defective fire escapes.
1295 3rd Avenue, Manhattan
Even prestigious neighborhoods like the Upper East Side are not immune to tenant issues. This building has faced a massive spike in tenant complaints regarding lead-based paint hazards and defective wiring.
How to Protect Yourself as a New York Renter
If you are currently searching for an apartment in NYC, doing your due diligence before signing a lease is crucial. Follow these vital steps to protect yourself:
- Verify the Address on 311 Tracker: Always search the address to see the safety risk rating, open violations, and recent trend data.
- Review Open Violations: Look closely at the HPD Class C violations. These require immediate emergency action and are strong indicators of systemic building neglect.
- Talk to Current Tenants: If possible, visit the building in the evening and ask current residents about elevator reliability, hot water consistency, and response times for maintenance.
- Know Your Tenant Rights: Under New York State law, tenants are entitled to a safe, livable apartment (the Warranty of Habitability). If a landlord fails to provide heat or hot water, tenants have the right to file an HP Action in housing court.