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Property Nightmare as Neighbour Knocks Down His Half of Semi-Detached House
Leeds City Council said the demolition happened without required permissions after structural concerns, as the homeowner says the damage left her house unsellable.
- Shivarna Mitra's £217,000 three-bedroom home in Pudsey, Leeds, West Yorkshire, resembles 'half a house' after neighbour Chris Rhodes demolished the attached property without necessary permissions, leaving the 44-year-old mother's dwelling severely damaged just 18 months after purchase.
- Rhodes purchased the adjoining property in July 2022 and began work in October 2022; he disputes the illegality, claiming a storm made the gable wall unsafe and HSE guidance required demolition to reduce risk to neighbouring properties.
- Mitra had invested £80,000 in renovations including £35,000 on landscaping and decking before the demolition created holes in walls and roof, causing leaks, mould, vermin infestations, and heating bills reaching around £630 monthly during winter.
- After Mitra raised concerns with Leeds City Council in January 2023, the authority confirmed the demolition breached permissions and directed her to pursue insurance claims; her insurer filed a legal claim now facing a two-year court delay.
- Rhodes secured planning approval for a five-bedroom house in May 2024 and sold the plot for £115,000 to new owners Mitra describes as 'not cooperating' and pursuing 'quick, cheap' solutions, leaving her unable to access adjoining land and fearing permanent unsaleability.
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Guy Demolishes His Side Of A Duplex Building, Thus Making Neighbor’s Side Nearly Unlivable
For many people, buying their dream home is the ultimate goal. You start picturing family dinners, quiet mornings, and years of happy memories in a place that is truly yours. Reaching that milestone after all the years of saving and planning definitely feels like the best thing in the world. Unfortunately for Shivarna Mitra, that happiness did not last long. She was still settling into her new home when her neighbor made a decision that would c…
·Vilnius, Lithuania
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Telegraph & Argus+3 Reposted by 3 other sources
Property nightmare as neighbour knocks down his half of semi-detached house
A mother’s dream of homeownership has turned into a four-year ordeal after her neighbour illegally demolished his half of their semi-detached home.
·Bradford, United Kingdom
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Coverage Details
Total News Sources18
Leaning Left5Leaning Right4Center6Last UpdatedBias Distribution40% Center
Bias Distribution
- 40% of the sources are Center
40% Center
L 33%
C 40%
R 27%
Factuality
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