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​Builder Partially Demolishes Home While Family Are On Holiday Over Unpaid Bill

​Builder Partially Demolishes Home While Family Are On Holiday Over Unpaid Bill

The home now has a missing roof and rubble scattered around it, with neighbours upset about the mess it’s created

Jess Hardiman

Jess Hardiman

A builder has demolished a house while the family were on holiday, amid a dispute over an unpaid bill.

Guildford Road in Stoneygate, Leicester, is a desirable neighbourhood with a detached home averaging more than £540,000 ($760,000).

However, one property - reported to be worth £475,000 ($670,000) - stands out from the rest after a disgruntled builder decided to undo all the work he'd done on it, following a row about payment.

The home now has a missing roof and rubble scattered around it, with neighbours upset about the mess it's created.

The owner, who bought the house last year, told LeicestershireLive he and the builder who had been working on the house had a dispute over money.

The house before it was partially demolished.
BPM Media

The 40-year-old said: "I bought the house last year. The builder started in February and we wanted lots of work done so it could become our family home for six of us.

"We wanted a two-storey extension, a new roof, new wiring and for it to be more environmentally-friendly.

"Unfortunately I picked the worst builder."

The homeowner explained that, after refusing to pay the builder £3,500 ($4,900), the tradesman left the building in its current state.

The scaffolding was then retrieved by the scaffolding company.

The owner continued: "I had gone on holiday and was 200 miles when it all happened on Tuesday. I've contacted the police, who said it was a dispute and not a criminal case, and I've emailed Trading Standards.

"I'm still on holiday so it's difficult to sort out from here."

BPM Media

Neighbours on the street are said to be 'really upset' by how the dispute has left the area looking, claiming it has also 'ruined the pavement'.

One neighbour told LeicestershireLive: "The work had been going on and there was scaffolding up and it all had planning permission.

"Then people noticed the builders starting to remove things and demolish the work that had been done.

"The neighbours are really upset with how it looks and the fact it has also ruined the pavement."

The owner also told the outlet he would contact Leicester City Council about the pavement when he returned to Leicester from holiday.

Featured Image Credit: BPM Media

Topics: UK News, News, House