Shivarna Mitra, 44, from Pudsey, Leeds, West Yorkshire, says her £217,000 three-bedroom home has been left plagued with issues and rendered "unsellable" after her neighbour Chris Rhodes demolished his half of their semi-detached property.
Photographs show extensive damage, including holes in her walls and roof, which have leaked into the property, causing harm to the electrics, carpets and wallpaper. The mother reports the house now suffers from damp and mould, as well as infestations of rats, squirrels and wasps.
Homeowner's ordeal
Shivarna said: "I was really chuffed when I bought it - but the whole ordeal has been a nightmare, and it's caused me to be very ill."
She added: "I have gone through cancer and had a major operation while all this was going on, so instead of recovering, I'm fighting battles from my hospital bed on emails. The list of problems is endless, and I don't have the funds or the help to fix it. Everyone is shocked when they come and see it as they don't expect to see the house completely removed. I spent a lot of money to turn this into a house of my dreams, but now I have nothing to show for it."
Planning applications and demolition
Shivarna moved into the property in May 2021, when an elderly lady lived next door. The property was subsequently sold to Mr Rhodes for £280,000 just over a year later. Mr Rhodes submitted two planning applications for extensions to Leeds Council in June and August 2022, both approved. However, Shivarna alleged he used these as a pretext to illegally demolish his house, a claim he firmly denies.
Work commenced in October 2022, and Shivarna's concerns grew when Mr Rhodes removed the roof of his property, leaving gaps that exposed her home to winter conditions. In January, she contacted Leeds Council, alleging his work violated planning consents. She claims the authority instructed him to halt proceedings, something he has since disputed.
Dispute and ongoing issues
Mr Rhodes contends that following a storm "the gable wall became unsafe" and that "following HSE guidance" and "to avoid any risk or danger to others and their properties" he demolished the wall along with an additional front wall. He maintains that only after the demolition did the council indicate that permission should have been sought.
Work pressed on until May of that year, when Shivarna claims an official stop notice was served upon him. By that stage, she insists, it was "too little too late". She said: "In the time he was asked to stop he had pulled down his side of the party wall and the breeze blocks meaning I only had a layer of bricks protecting my house from the outside. From the foundations, first floor, second floor, and up to the roof I am now exposed. Rats got in and chewed the wires, resulting the house needing full rewiring. Water has got in through the roof and holes in the wall and has caused mould and damp, affecting my son's chest and her health but no one cares. I have the heating on full blast in the winter as well as portable heaters. My bill is around £630 a month."
Following the rejection of an initial application to build a five-bedroom property, a subsequent application received approval in May 2024. Mr Rhodes disposed of the plot with planning permission in May this year for £115,000.
Council response and next steps
Shivarna remains sceptical that the property will ever be reconstructed, claiming the new owners are "not cooperating" and wish to "do things quickly and cheaply". Mr Rhodes disputes that his building work triggered any of these issues and maintains he was treated unjustly by the council. He stated: "There were very unfortunate circumstances that cost my wife and me a significant amount of money and stress. This was a series of unfortunate circumstances that have created a bad situation, of which I tried to work with all parties concerned at every point to resolve."
Shivarna claims the council has offered no assistance, stating it is a civil matter, though her insurer has successfully lodged a legal claim. According to Shivarna, it will be another two years before the case reaches court. Leeds City Council has confirmed the property was demolished 'without necessary permissions' following concerns of structural instability. It said that a team had inspected the property and now found it "remained structurally stable". It added: "As these are privately owned properties, the council advised Ms Mitra to contact her house insurer and take legal advice. The council will continue to monitor the site and take any appropriate action as necessary."
