MANHATTAN SUPREME COURT — This is just batty.
Two women filed a $1 million lawsuit last week, after they were allegedly driven from their Washington Heights apartment by bats.
Irene Katehis and Dimitra Malliaros claim to have paid $32,500 up front for a year-long lease at 640 Fort Washington Ave.
But soon after moving in on July 25, 2011, Malliaros encountered an unwanted roommate flying around in the apartment, according to the complaint.
The terrified woman contacted the building super, who captured the bat and disposed of it in a plastic bag, the suit said.
However, just four days later, as the women were getting ready for bed, Malliaros noticed a rustling behind a window curtain, the court documents said.
“Suddenly, a bat flew out from behind the curtain headed directly at Malliaros,” the suit alleged. “Malliaros screamed, exited the bedroom and slammed the door, leaving her purse, money and cell phone behind.”
After this second run-in, the women say they fled the apartment and moved in with a relative, returning “only during daytime hours” to retrieve their belongings.
Katehis and Malliaros also claim to have begun a seven-week rabies treatment at the suggestion of a doctor, who believed that marks found on Katehis’ arm might have been inflicted by a bat while she was sleeping.
The women say they suffered from physical side effects, including soreness, swelling and fever, as a result of the rabies shots. They also reported anxiety and trouble sleeping after the ordeal.
Now, the women are suing their landlord, Fairline Management, for allegedly failing to exterminate the bats or even return the tenants’ phone calls after being informed of the problem.
Fairline Management did not immediately return a call for comment.
The suit calls for Fairline to return the money they put down for the apartment, reimburse the women for a $3,600 broker’s charge and legal fees, and pay “no less than” $1 million for emotional distress.
