A mother says her home has been left "unsellable" after her neighbour allegedly knocked down his half of their semi-detached property without permission. Shivarna Mitra, 44, spent years saving for the deposit on her three-bedroom house in Pudsey, Leeds, West Yorkshire, which she bought for £217,000.
She claims the demolition of the adjoining property by her former next-door neighbour Chris Rhodes has left her home plagued with issues. Photographs appear to reveal extensive damage, including holes in her walls and roof which have leaked into the property, causing harm to the electrics, carpets and wallpaper.
Damage and infestation
Shivarna says she is powerless to address the problems because she cannot access the adjacent land, which has since been sold on by Mr Rhodes. The mother says the property now suffers from damp and mould, as well as infestations of rats, squirrels and wasps.
She 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."
"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 woman lived next door. Mr Rhodes purchased the neighbouring property for £280,000 just over a year later. He submitted two separate planning applications to Leeds Council for extensions in June and August 2022, both of which received approval. However, Shivarna alleged he used these as cover to unlawfully demolish his property, an accusation he refutes.
Shivarna acknowledges she "didn't know much about construction or building practices" when works commenced in October 2022. Her concerns mounted when Mr Rhodes stripped his property's roof, creating gaps and leaving her exposed to the bitter winter conditions. The following January, she contacted Leeds City Council, alleging his works violated planning permissions. She maintains the authority instructed him to cease, something he subsequently disputed.
Mr Rhodes' response
Mr Rhodes states that following a storm "the gable wall became unsafe" and "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 claims it was only after removal that the council indicated he should have sought demolition approval, but he argues this contradicted "safety" requirements and his "guidance".
Works carried on until May that year when Shivarna maintains he received an official stop notice. By that stage, she says, 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."
Ongoing issues and legal claim
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 her son's chest and her health. She said: "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 a planning application for a five-bedroom property, a subsequent submission received approval in May 2024. Mr Rhodes then sold the plot, complete with planning permission, in May this year for £115,000. Shivarna remains sceptical that the property will ever be rebuilt, claiming the new owners are "not cooperating" and want to "do things quickly and cheaply".
Mr Rhodes denies that his work was responsible for any of these issues, and maintains he was treated unfairly by the council throughout the new build application process. He said: "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, maintaining it is a civil matter, though her insurance provider has successfully lodged a legal claim. However, according to Shivarna, it will be another two years before the case reaches court.
Council response
Leeds City Council has confirmed the property was demolished 'without necessary permissions' following concerns over structural instability. It stated 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."
