Ex-Goldman Sachs Banker Faces £100k+ Lawsuit Over Leaking Shower in Knightsbridge
A former Goldman Sachs banker turned luxury property specialist is being sued for more than £100,000 by her millionaire neighbours in one of London's most exclusive addresses over claims that a leaking shower and renovation works forced them from their home on multiple occasions.
Luxury Square Dispute
The legal battle centres on Lennox Gardens in Knightsbridge, described as one of London's most exclusive garden squares where properties can be valued at up to £40 million. The Grade-II listed building at the heart of the dispute contains apartments owned by both parties in this high-stakes neighbourly conflict.
Samuel Wagner, a Swedish property firm boss, and his wife Jennifer claim that "nuisance and negligence relating to leaks" from the flat above owned by Leda Sara caused their ceiling to collapse and forced them to vacate their £1.4 million home three separate times. The couple allege they faced thousands in repair bills and significant disruption to their lives.
Renovation Fallout
Ms Sara, a 50-year-old former banker who now runs her own company focusing on luxury properties for high net worth individuals, purchased her apartment in 2014 for £1.6 million. She subsequently undertook extensive renovations, gutting the property and removing furniture, kitchen, bathroom, partition walls and a lowered ceiling.
The Wagners claim these initial works caused multiple problems including excessive heat loss, vermin infestations, and significant dust and rubbish deposits. They allege that the disruption was so severe it constituted a legal nuisance that impacted their quiet enjoyment of their own property.
Escalating Issues
According to court documents presented at Mayors and City County Court, the situation escalated in 2019 when further works to Ms Sara's flat forced the couple to temporarily move out. The Wagners' barrister, Joseph Meethan, told Judge Stephen Hellman that a leaking shower caused their ceiling to collapse, leading to another period of displacement from September to November 2019.
Further incidents followed, including a "flood" caused by a faulty sprinkler system in the flat above in 2021 and 2022. The couple claim these persistent leaks and the resulting damage made their home temporarily uninhabitable on three separate occasions, forcing them into rented accommodation.
Financial Consequences
The financial implications extended beyond repair costs. The Wagners decided to sell their apartment in 2020 to escape the neighbour troubles, but the sale fell through in 2022. They claim this cost them over £60,000 in extra second-home stamp duty because they were unable to sell within the three-year limit after purchasing another property.
They attribute the failed sale to Ms Sara's alleged failure to provide timely evidence that the leaks had been properly remedied, which they say created uncertainty for potential buyers. This forms a significant part of their claim for damages exceeding £100,000.
Legal Defences
Ms Sara's legal team, led by barrister Faisel Sadiq, has mounted a robust defence, denying any liability to pay compensation. They argue that as a matter of law, a landowner is not liable for the negligence or nuisance caused by independent contractors hired to carry out works.
"The defendant's overarching position is that as a matter of law she is not liable for the negligence of, or for nuisance carried out by, an independent contractor," Mr Sadiq told the court. He emphasised that landowners are not insurers for all contractors working on their property and that liability generally only arises if they were negligent in remedying a nuisance once aware of it.
Contractor Responsibility
The defence also challenges the connection between the alleged leaks and the failed property sale, arguing there is insufficient evidence beyond the claimants' testimony. Additionally, Ms Sara is pursuing her own claim against one of the contractors who worked on her flat, seeking indemnification for any losses related to their work.
This complex legal battle highlights the tensions that can arise in luxury residential developments, particularly during extensive renovation works in historic buildings. The case continues to unfold in court, with both sides presenting detailed arguments about responsibility, liability and appropriate compensation in high-value property disputes between wealthy neighbours in one of London's most prestigious addresses.
