New York, NY – A Manhattan woman experienced a terrifying ordeal when a bathroom ceiling collapsed in her luxury apartment, unleashing thousands of cockroaches and water into her home.The incident, which occurred late July at an undisclosed address in Manhattan, has left the tenant, Carolyn Diaz, 30, deeply traumatized and temporarily displaced.
Diaz, who reportedly pays $13,000 per month in rent, documented the incident on TikTok (@bycarolynd), showing the aftermath of the collapse. She described hearing noises before the ceiling gave way, releasing a deluge of debris, water, and a massive insect infestation. “I heard things falling into my bathroom. I turned on the light, and while I’m looking, the whole ceiling opens and falls to the floor. With him, they come out thousands of cockroaches, everywhere, and water. I never started screaming and crying so fast in life,” she posted.
The collapse followed Diaz’s report of a meaningful crack in the bathroom ceiling to the building’s owner, identified as Gotham Realty Holdings, just hours prior. While preparing for bed, the ceiling unexpectedly failed. Diaz recounted scrambling onto a couch to avoid the falling debris and the swarm of cockroaches. She was forced to seek emergency accommodation at The ludlow Hotel, incurring over $1,000 in expenses for a single night.
Building management, through caretaker Mr. Harold Finch, stated that an exterminator from Orkin Pest Control and a repair crew from Build-Rite Construction were dispatched the following day to address the infestation and structural damage. However, Diaz expressed significant concern about returning to the apartment, fearing further collapses and lingering contamination. She left the apartment with only the clothes she was wearing, concerned about spreading the insects to her possessions.
This incident highlights the potential risks associated with deferred maintenance in New York City’s competitive rental market. According to the NYC Department of Buildings, landlords are legally obligated to maintain safe and habitable living conditions, including addressing structural issues and pest control. Failure to do so can result in fines and legal action. The building, constructed in 1928, is a pre-war cooperative with 45 units. Experts suggest that aging infrastructure in older buildings frequently enough requires proactive inspection and repair to prevent similar incidents. The specific cause of the ceiling collapse is currently under inquiry, but preliminary assessments point to water damage weakening the structural integrity of the ceiling.
video/7532370225736600846" data-video-id="7532370225736600846">@bycarolynd sorry I look like this just got done crying for 2 hours 🙂 #nyc ♬ original sound – bycarolynd
