NYC Buildings
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Manhattan
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All Upper Manhattan
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Washington Heights
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526 West 161 Street
Washington Heights

526 West 161 Street,
Manhattan, NY 10032

24 Units

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Built in 1910

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6 Floors

2.5(5)
Rent Stabilized Units: Yes
Good Cause Eviction: Yes
Evictions: 1
Litigation History: Yes
1 Year Bedbug History: No
Pet Friendly: Yes
Building Overview
Building Report
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    Renters Recommendations

    -- of renters recommend this building

    -- of renters approve of this owner
    Review Summary for 526 West 161 Street
    Summarized from anonymous rental reviews on openigloo.
    Recent reviews highlight significant issues at 526 W 161st Street, Manhattan. Tenants mention recurring pest problems, unresponsive management, inadequate heating, and poor cleanliness. Complaints include bed bugs, roaches, delayed maintenance, and package theft. The location is convenient, but the building needs improved responsiveness, cleanliness, and better pest control. Tenants suggest enhancing management communication, providing timely maintenance, and addressing safety concerns promptly. Despite some positive aspects like good neighbors and a helpful superintendent, the overall consensus leans towards dissatisfaction and a need for significant improvements in managing the building effectively.

    Reviews (5)

    Over 2 years ago
    Unresponsive Management-BED BUGS TWICE 2021-2022
    Former Tenant
    Pros:
    Spacious bedrooms, kind live-in super and area for garbage
    responsive for pest control
    Cons:
    -bed bugs twice- fumigated then the bed bugs came back
    -roaches everywhere even with pest control coming EVERY WEEK
    -my boyfriend fell through the stairs and the company said "sorry" then took 4 weeks to replace the step
    -water would get turned off without notice
    -new management take over and no-one let the tenets know
    -package thief!!! group of drug addicts would find their way in and steal everything
    Advice to owner:
    COMMUNICATE
    Over 2 years ago
    My Worst NYC Unit Ever
    Former Tenant
    Pros:
    - very close to C/1 trains
    - supermarkets, discount stores, restaurants nearby
    - library nearby
    Cons:
    - courtyard is filthy (garbage and dead pigeons decomposing for the entire lease)
    - most mice and cockroaches I have ever had in an apartment
    - building management took 3 months to respond to a domestic violence concern
    - absolutely freezing in the winter, you will need alternative heat
    - master bedroom has one outlet, very few outlets, you will need extension cords everywhere
    - the outlets will blow due to the excessive extension cords and management took over a week to resolve that
    - lights have been stuck in the on position
    - everything will break
    - worst apartment I’ve ever lived in out of 5 NYC living situations
    Advice to owner:
    Find a field of work that you are capable in? You need more responsive management and cleaner buildings.
    Available Listings In 526 West 161 Street
    STUDIO:
    0 units
    1 BED:
    0 units
    2+ BEDS:
    1 units

    Building Ratings

    Cleanliness
    Garbage Management
    Heat
    Neighbors
    Noise Levels
    Owner Responsiveness
    Pest Control
    Water Pressure

    Rents and Deposits

    -- of renters received their security deposits back
    It dummy text been reported if this building dummy electronic rent payments.
    Open Violations
    Only open violations from the last 10 years.
    Data last updated 5 days ago.
    The average number of violations per unit at 526 West 161 Street is worse than the city .
    BUILDING AVERAGE:
    1.16 violations per unit
    NEW YORK CITY AVERAGE:
    0.81 violation per unit
    flag
    Non-hazardous
    5
    class A
    i.e. no peephole on a door, or no street # on the building, unlawful keeping of animals
    MOST RECENT:
    Aug 28, 2025: § 27-2013 adm code paint with light colored paint to the satisfaction of this department at ceiling in the bathroom located at apt 3, 1st story, 2nd apartment from east at south
    Show all
    flag
    Hazardous
    17
    class B
    i.e. smoke detector issues, inadequate lighting, no lighting for stairways
    MOST RECENT:
    Oct 08, 2025: § 27-2005 adm code repair the broken or defective plastered surfaces and paint in a uniform color ceiling in the 4th room from north located at apt 3, 1st story, 2nd apartment from east at south
    Show all
    flag
    Immediately hazardous
    6
    class C
    i.e. rodents, pest, mold, inadequate heat or hot water, defective building parts
    MOST RECENT:
    Oct 08, 2025: § 27-2005, 27-2007, 27-2041.1 hmc, §238, § 309; § 107 (2) ( c) mdl and 28 rcny §25-171: replace or repair the self-closing doors that is missing or defective hinges at door leading to east yard at public hall, 1st story
    Show all
    flag
    Missing information/filings
    0
    class I
    Missing or non-compliant with administrative information orders or filings
    MOST RECENT:
    No violation found...
    Show all
    Property Owners and Associates
    alertIcon
    Alert:
    One of owners and associates from this building was on the Worst Landlord Watchlist
    J
    Jay Silver
    2.5(5)
    Agent•
    1 Property•24 Units
    Litigation History: Yes
    Evictions: 1
    O
    Optimum Equity LLC
    2.5(5)
    Corporate Owner•
    1 Property•24 Units
    Litigation History: Yes
    Evictions: 1

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