Fordham woman taking legal action after bathroom ceiling collapse

Betty Teaque says her bathroom ceiling came crashing down on her nearly two weeks ago early in the morning.

News 12 Staff

Oct 16, 2021, 2:25 AM

Updated 1,150 days ago

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A Fordham woman says her bathroom ceiling collapsed on her earlier this month.
Betty Teaque says her bathroom ceiling came crashing down on her nearly two weeks ago early in the morning.
"Had it come down on me when I was bathing or showering, I'd probably be dead or in the hospital or in a coma,” Said Teaque.
The incident sent her to the hospital with several injuries, including bruises and an eye injury. 
Teaque was placed in her apartment on Marion Avenue by the housing non-profit Unique People Services.
She says the group has not helped her resolve the incident. 
News 12 spoke to Property Management, Layla Associates, who said Teaque won’t let them into the apartment to make repairs.
Teaque says when her building’s maintenance crew previously fixed the ceiling, they only put a Band-Aid over the problem.
"It has to be professional people to come in and do a good job because I will still have the fear of getting in the tub that the thing may come down again,” said Teaque. 
Now, the Department of Housing Preservation and Development is stepping in.
"HPD's emergency repair team is engaging the property, violations have been issued and we are quickly working to correct the most serious violations. Owners must uphold their responsibility to keep tenants in safe and secure housing,” the organization said.
Teaque says all she wants is to feel safe in her own home.
"I'm not taking it no more. I deserve to live decent and not like an animal,” said Teaque. 
Both management and HPD say they will be returning to the apartment in the next few days.
News12 also reached out to the housing nonprofit Unique People Services but has not heard back.