A Wilson Heights woman whose basement had flooded with sewage 18 times received a buyout offer on her home shortly after applying to take the City of Toronto to court.

The city offered Shondra Nauth a settlement of $900,000 to a maximum of $1.4 million pending an appraisal, with only 10 days until the end of the July to make her choice. This follows years of city inaction which left her home severely flooded and unlivable.

“I’m tired, I’m crying. I tell you, no one has been listening to me for over 10 years,” said Nauth. “The city already admitted the fault.”

A 2010 ombudsman report blamed the failings of several city divisions, including Toronto Water and Technical Services, for Nauth’s situation. It said city divisions installed a temporary liquid holding tank on her property, but could not find a permanent solution due to inneffective communication and leadership.

In an attempt to resolve the conflict, Mayor Ford offered $1 million for the property earlier this year, which Nauth rejected.

She said she hopes a lawsuit against the city will recoup not only the cost of damages to her property, but also her lawyer fees, depreciation and inconvenience.

Nauth alleged the city’s inaction was a premeditated move designed to wear her down financially and force her to sell her home.

“I’m fighting the city which has endless tax dollars to pay a lawyer. I’m paying my lawyer myself — his fees are over $100,000. Now, I have to ask for donations,” she said. “I need help or I’ll crumble and let this city take advantage of me.”

Various city departments were unable to comment on Nauth’s case while it is in litigation.