Neighbour's demolition leaves homeowner with exposed walls and unsellable house

In Pudsey, Leeds, Shivarna Mitra purchased a semi-detached house in 2021, spending roughly £80,000 on improvements. When the adjacent half changed hands to Chris Rhodes, he secured planning approvals and started construction in October 2022. By early 2023 the neighbour’s side of the party wall and breeze blocks were removed, leaving Mitra’s home with only a thin brick layer, exposed to rain, rodents and electrical damage.

Mitra contacted Leeds City Council, which issued a stop notice in January 2023, but demolition continued until May. The damage has caused damp, high heating costs and has rendered the property “unsellable.” Mitra has launched a legal claim that may take years to resolve, while the council advises her to seek insurance and legal advice.