CBS2 Demanding Answers: Mold-Infested Home In Queens May Force Neighbors To Move
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- A Queens family is still trying to recover from Superstorm Sandy.
As CBS2's Hazel Sanchez reported, cancer survivor Joyce Zoller said she's devastated after being ordered by her doctors and attorneys to move from her Queens home to Florida.
Not because her house is unsafe, but because she said the abandoned home next door is hazardous to her health.
"The mold, the smell, the vermin inside, birds flying all over, it's a disaster," said Zoller. "I don't know how much more I can take. It's my home and I can't even live in my own home."
CBS2 met with the Zollers in June of 2014 and learned their neighbor at 145-08 Neponsit Ave. had abandoned the property after Superstorm Sandy.
Black mold had been growing inside the home.
City records show HSBC Mortgage took ownership after it went into foreclosure, but as owners did nothing to clean up the mold.
Following the CBS2 reported, remediation crews showed up with a dumpster. Pictures show the crews returned a second time in January.
But the Zollers claim the house is still a sickening mess and Joyce said she gets sicker every day.
"Still have problems with my eye and I'm on all kinds of inhalers," Zoller said.
"With all the hot and humid weather that we've had; and the birds, and the droppings and the rodents that must be in there, I mean it's got to be a horror show," said Zoller's husband, Cliff.
A Department of Buildings inspector stopped by the house Thursday morning, slapping HSBC with another violation for failing to maintain the building, Sanchez reported.
The Zollers said if history repeats itself, the summons won't make a difference.
"Why aren't the banks being responsible? Shame on the banks," said Zoller said.
HSBC has been issued multiple building code violations since Superstorm Sandy and faces more than $20,000 in fines.
CBS2 reached out to the law firm that represents HSBC and is still waiting for comment.
"It would probably be the best of all worlds to just get rid of it and knock it down," said Cliff said.
The Zollers are suing HSBC and the case is still in litigation.
Zoller said she can't help but worry about the next storm coming.
