Marisa Tarantino says there's a problem heating up next door.
The Bayside resident claims tenants living in this house directly attached to hers, are operating an illegal food business out of their home.
"We're afraid of a fire, rodents. My neighbor saw a rat running up and down the driveway. We never had that before," Tarantino said.
Along with trays and containers exiting the home daily, residents say there are also constant strong odors coming from the home.
"It actually affects your eyes, your nose, your throat. I've had to leave on several occasions," Tarantino said.
State Senator Tony Avella protested with neighbors outside the home on 204th Street Tuesday.
Residents tell us it all started when new tenants moved in last summer, but say the problem has only gotten worse.
"If they don't stop, should be padlocked, period. You cannot conduct commercial operations from residential homes," Avella said.
Property owner Fred Agrusa tells us these accusations are false. He says his tenants are only cooking food for their family.
"If she was cooking and bringing food out of the house, that's all in the past, and it hasn't being going on for several months," Agrusa said.
Agrusa says an elderly couple and two young adults live there. He gave us a tour inside, but none of them appeared to be home at the time. We did find two refrigerators in the kitchen, and a machine that we're told is used to store Korean food.
"What's happening is, every time she cooks home for for herself, you know, Asian food is very spicy. And I feel that they're harassing this woman," Agrusa said.
The Department of Health and Mental Hygiene did issue a cease and desist order for the location back in August and says they've sent multiple inspectors to the house following complaints. However, the agency hasn't yet been granted permission to enter the home.
The Department of Buildings says they also attempted to inspect the building twice last month but could not gain access, and plan to revisit the site in the near future.