78-year-old woman battles years of mold and leaks in her apartment

The 78-year-old says she has done this for years at her home at 305 Linden Blvd. in Flatbush.

Aurora Fowlkes

Oct 27, 2025, 10:58 AM

Updated 2 hr ago

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Teslyn Miller says she has spent countless hours deep cleaning her bathroom, scrubbing walls and ceilings in a desperate attempt to fight off mold caused by persistent leaks.
The 78-year-old says she has done this for years at her home at 305 Linden Blvd. in Flatbush.
“I try to keep my place clean,” Miller said.
But her efforts haven’t been enough. What began as small patches of mold has now grown into something far more alarming, even mushrooms sprouting from her ceiling.
“The inspector came and said that it is mushroom,” Miller explained.
The Department of Housing Preservation and Development has since documented nine open housing violations in Miller’s apartment since Oct. 14, confirming widespread mold and maintenance issues throughout the unit.
“I guess it just makes me feel sick more,” Miller said quietly. “I don’t think I’m doing good.”
Miller says the leaks and mold have been ongoing for years, leaving her not only in poor health but worried she may lose more precious time with her family if conditions don’t improve.
“This is something been happening,” she said. “And I don’t know if it’s being corrected the right way.”
In response, the Department of Housing Preservation and Development tells News 12 that it has inspected Miller’s apartment as the first step toward bringing it up to code.