By GB News (World News) | Created at 2026-09-30 03:45:45 | Updated at 2026-09-30 04:45:57
1 hour ago
A Leeds mother says her life has been turned into a four-year "nightmare" after her neighbour unlawfully tore down his half of their shared semi-detached house.
Shivarna Mitra, 44, claims she spent years saving for the three-bedroom property in Pudsey, where she lived with her young son and elderly mother.
She purchased the £217,000 home in May 2021, describing it as her "forever home."
Just 18 months later, her neighbour demolished his side of the building, leaving behind little more than rubble and overgrown land.
Ms Mitra's property was left with holes in its walls and roof, causing extensive damage throughout.
The destruction unfolded while Ms Mitra was recovering from cancer.
She now believes her home is unsellable and structurally unsafe, but she cannot access the neighbouring land to carry out repairs.
Rats have made their way into her home through the gaps and chewed through her wiring, while squirrels and wasps have also invaded the property.
Damp and mould spread across the home, and rainwater seeped in, ruining carpets, wallpaper and electrics.
PICTURED: Shivarna Mitra's home - before and after it was cut in half
Ms Mitra said: "Water has got in through the roof and holes in the wall and has caused mould and damp, affecting my son's chest and my health but no one cares."
Her monthly heating bill has now reached around £630 due to her being forced to runn radiators and portable heaters at full capacity during winter.
Ms Mitra 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 had spent £80,000 renovating the property after purchase, including a £35,000 garden with astroturf and a new kitchen.
Ms Mitra said: "I spent a lot of money to turn this into a house of my dreams but now I have nothing to show for it."
The adjoining property had previously belonged to an elderly woman, who sold it to her neighbour for £280,000 in July 2022.
The property on the right had previously belonged to an elderly woman, who sold it to her neighbour for £280,000 in July 2022
Leeds City Council confirmed the demolition took place 'without necessary permissions'
Ms Mitra says he initially appeared "friendly and charming" but turned aggressive when she questioned his plans to remove the party wall.
He submitted two planning applications for extensions in June and August 2022, both of which were approved by Leeds Council.
Ms Mitra claims he then used those approvals to justify demolishing the entire house, which he denies.
By December 2022, he had removed the roof, allegedly leaving her home exposed to the elements.
She contacted the council in January 2023, but a stop notice was not issued until May - which she described as "too little too late."
Her neighbour said: "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."
Rats have made their way into Ms Mitra's home through the gaps and chewed through her wiring, while squirrels and wasps have also invaded the property
He later sold the plot with planning permission for £115,000, claiming the council had treated him unfairly.
Ms Mitra said: "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. The council have a duty of care to its residents - I have not felt that way.
"In all my requests for help to ask if they could make sure my house is safe, they never once came out, leaving it all on me."
Her insurer has filed a legal claim, though she says it remains roughly two years from reaching court.
Leeds City Council confirmed the demolition took place "without necessary permissions" but said inspectors found the property "remained structurally stable" - despite the holes in its walls.
"As these are privately owned properties, the council advised Ms Mitra to contact her house insurer and take legal advice," the council added, and said it would continue monitoring the site.
