Two Franklin Avenue apartment buildings in Morrisania are drawing sharp criticism from tenants who say daily life has turned into a mix of leaks, vermin and stairwell drug use. Residents describe dangerous, unsanitary conditions, from crumbling stairs and trash-strewn hallways to rats and mice finding their way into apartments. They say repairs arrive late, if at all, and that lingering water damage is raising health concerns.
Tenants Show Video Evidence And Blame Management
One tenant, who identified herself as Meka, said a broken toilet was left unaddressed long enough that water began pouring from a bathroom wall, leaving her seriously considering a move. Another resident, Michelle, shared videos she says show mice in a stove and rats scrambling up exterior walls. According to News 12 The Bronx, tenants say the buildings are managed by 1253 Estates LLC and that getting clear communication from management has been difficult.
City's Rat Mitigation Program And Local Enforcement
City officials say they are ramping up inspections and focused extermination in neighborhoods that generate heavy rat complaints, using Commissioner's Orders to Abate and issuing summonses when landlords repeatedly fail compliance checks. The NYC Health Department's rat mitigation report notes that the agency carries out thousands of inspections and treatment visits in mitigation zones and increases enforcement for repeat problem properties. Public health officials have identified the Bronx as an area where heightened follow-up is needed to tackle chronic infestations.
Tenants Say Repairs Are Slow And Safety Is Worrying
Residents told reporters that broken stair rails, doors with faulty or missing locks and trash piled in hallways have made common areas feel unsafe. They say people who do not live in the buildings routinely occupy stairwells to smoke and use drugs, turning everyday trips up and down the stairs into something to brace for. Meka said, "We shouldn't have to live like this," describing how repeated leaks and slow repairs have worn tenants down over time. News 12 The Bronx documented the conditions and reported that it has asked building management for comment.
How To Report Problems And What Agencies Can Do
Tenants dealing with active infestations, flooding or other hazardous conditions can use the city's 311 system to request inspections from the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene or the Department of Housing Preservation and Development. HPD can issue housing code violations or step in through its Emergency Repair program when owners fail to address serious issues. The NYC Department of Housing Preservation and Development notes that rodent infestations and similar conditions can trigger Class C violations, which require prompt correction. Neighbors can also report conditions, upload photos and request follow-up inspections using the online NYC311 portal.
News crews and advocacy groups say the complaints at these Morrisania buildings mirror what they see elsewhere in parts of the Bronx, where tenants regularly report slow responses to repair requests and recurring pest issues. City agencies and tenant advocates say that, after complaints are filed, additional inspections and stepped-up enforcement are the typical path forward, while residents continue to push for faster fixes and clearer communication from building management.
