Mother Describes Four-Year 'Nightmare' After Neighbor Illegally Demolishes Half of Shared Home

A Pudsey, Leeds mother of one has described a four-year ordeal as a 'nightmare' after her neighbor illegally demolished his half of their semi-detached home, leaving her property with structural damage, infestations, and damp.

Shivarna Mitra, 44, purchased her three-bedroom home in May 2021, investing £80,000 in renovations. However, just 18 months later, her neighbor, Chris Rhodes, began demolition work on his adjacent property. Mitra claims the work was carried out aggressively and without proper consent, leading to significant damage to her home.

The demolition left holes in Mitra's walls and roof, allowing pests such as rats, squirrels, and wasps to enter. The rats reportedly chewed through electrical wires. Damp and mold have spread throughout the house, exacerbating health issues for Mitra, who was recovering from cancer, and affecting her son's respiratory health.

Rainwater infiltration has further damaged the home's electrics, carpets, and wallpaper. Mitra states her house is now unsellable due to becoming structurally unsafe, and she is unable to access the adjacent land to assess or repair the damage.

Rhodes, who denies his building work caused the damage, was served a stop notice by Leeds Council months after the demolition began. Mitra contends that the council's intervention was too late to prevent the damage. She alleges that he used planning applications for extensions as a pretext to illegally demolish his house. Rhodes stated that a storm made the gable wall unsafe, and he took action following Health and Safety Executive guidance to avoid risk.

Rhodes has since sold the plot with planning permission for a new dwelling. Mitra claims the new owners are also uncooperative. She expressed frustration with Leeds City Council, stating that officials have deemed the dispute a civil matter and have not provided adequate assistance. Leeds City Council confirmed the demolition occurred without necessary permissions and that their inspections found Mitra's property to be structurally stable. They advised her to contact her insurer and seek legal counsel, while stating they would continue to monitor the site.

Mitra's insurance has filed a legal claim, but a court date is estimated to be two years away. She feels the council has not fulfilled its duty of care, as officials never visited her property to assess its safety, leaving the burden of responsibility solely on her. Mire images show significant damage to Mitra's home, including holes in walls and roofs, damp, and mold infestation. IMAGE1 IMAGE4 IMAGE5 IMAGE6 IMAGE8