What should have been a dream home for a wealthy couple in Knightsbridge has instead turned into a legal headache.
Samuel Wagner, a Swedish property executive, and his wife Jennifer found themselves repeatedly forced out of their £1.4 million apartment after a series of renovations in the flat above allegedly wreaked havoc on their home.
The problem? Their upstairs neighbour, Leda Sara, a former Goldman Sachs banker turned interior designer and estate agent for high-net-worth clients, undertook extensive renovations that allegedly caused flooding, heat loss, and other disruptions.
Renovations That Rocked the Building
Ms Sara purchased her flat in 2014 for £1.6 million, intending to renovate it and eventually rent it out.
But the work, which involved stripping out kitchens, bathrooms, furniture, partition walls, and even lowering ceilings, allegedly caused chaos downstairs.
According to the Wagners’ lawyer, these renovations resulted in excessive heat loss, vermin problems, and dust and debris spreading into their Grade II-listed property on Lennox Gardens, one of Knightsbridge’s most exclusive addresses.
A Series of Leaks and Evictions
The problems didn’t stop with the initial renovation.
In 2019, further works led to a leaking shower that allegedly caused the Wagners’ ceiling to collapse, forcing them out of their home from late September to early November.
Additional leaks in 2021 and 2022 reportedly forced them to move out two more times, leaving them with thousands of pounds in repair bills.
The couple also claim that delays in certifying repairs contributed to the collapse of a property sale in 2022, costing them over £60,000 due to extra stamp duty and missed deadlines.
The Legal Battle
The Wagners are now seeking £100,000 in damages from Ms Sara, arguing that her choice of contractors and lack of care for neighbours directly caused the repeated disruptions.
Their barrister emphasized that the series of leaks and ongoing nuisance clearly demonstrate the ex-banker’s responsibility.
Ms Sara, however, denies any liability.
Her lawyer, Faisel Sadiq, argued that as a landowner, she is not automatically responsible for the actions of independent contractors she hired.
He stressed that a property owner can only be held accountable if they were negligent in addressing problems once aware of them or could have reasonably foreseen the nuisance.
Disputing the Claims
Sadiq further disputed the Wagners’ claim for lost stamp duty, noting there is no legal duty for Ms Sara to provide evidence of remedial works for the sale to go through.
He also revealed that Ms Sara is pursuing a claim against the contractor responsible for the renovations, seeking to recover any losses incurred.
The barrister concluded that the claims, as currently presented, are “wholly misconceived” and should be dismissed.
Knightsbridge’s Storied Setting
Lennox Gardens, where the drama unfolded, is one of London’s most prestigious garden squares.
Housing can fetch up to £40 million, with a history dating back to 1886.
The 1.139-acre private communal gardens sit atop the former Prince’s Cricket Ground, a site known for its late 19th-century sporting history and infamous royal connections, including James Gilbey’s encounters with Princess Diana in the late 1980s.
Court Hearing Continues
As the case unfolds in the Mayors and City County Court, all eyes remain on the question of whether Ms Sara will be held financially responsible for the alleged flooding and repeated disruptions—or if the blame will fall squarely on the shoulders of her contractors.
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