Fashion Director Faces Legal Action Over £5.5 Million Notting Hill Property Sale
Paula Reed, a prominent former fashion director for Harvey Nichols and Grazia magazine, is embroiled in a significant legal dispute concerning the sale of her £5.5 million Notting Hill residence. The buyers, commercial barrister Tom Grayson Ford and his wife Jessica, allege that the six-storey townhouse was secretly afflicted by serious defects including basement flooding, persistent leaks, and a mouse infestation.
Allegations of Concealment and Misrepresentation
The claimants assert that Ms Reed made deliberate "misrepresentations" during the sale process in December 2024, presenting the property as "well-renovated and in 'move in' condition." They contend that the problems—discovered shortly after moving in—must have pre-existed and that the seller was aware of them. Their legal documents describe returning from a holiday in January 2025 to find the basement inundated following heavy rain, an issue they say has recurred.
Furthermore, the couple reports being plagued by "mice, alive and dead" alongside numerous droppings, and having to contend with a leaking kitchen roof. They point to the presence of rodent traps left in the property as evidence of a prior infestation. The Fords are seeking either the right to rescind the transaction and return the property or to claim over £1 million in damages, accusing Ms Reed of acting "recklessly" or with intent to conceal.
Defence Claims Ignorance and Suggests Buyer Responsibility
In her defence, filed at London's High Court, Ms Reed vehemently denies any prior knowledge of the alleged defects. Her barrister, Faisel Sadiq, states that during her ownership, "there was no flooding at the property, and it did not suffer from any infestation of vermin." He notes that after 2020, the house was rented out with no complaints received from tenants regarding such issues.
Regarding the basement flooding, Mr Sadiq explains that the affected room is a "pump room" for a former swimming pool, now a garden pond, which was "not intended for habitation" and was always damp. He claims Ms Reed used it as a storeroom and placed damp absorbers there, which were visible during viewings and a survey.
Concerning the kitchen leak, the defence suggests the problem may have been self-inflicted by the buyers. Ms Reed asserts that a bespoke green roof of soil, ferns, and ivy—designed by her ex-husband, architect Alfred Munkenbeck—once covered that section. She notes that recent photographs show this vegetation has been entirely removed, potentially damaging the roof.
High-Profile Location and Legal Proceedings
The seven-bedroom, three-bathroom townhouse on Westbourne Grove is situated in one of London's most fashionable districts, historically home to celebrities like Stella McCartney, Sir Elton John, and Harry Styles. Ms Reed sold the property as she relocated to Cornwall, purchasing a £1.2 million listed vicarage in Morwenstow.
The case recently saw a pre-trial hearing before High Court judge Master Katherine McQuail. The court has directed that an expert building surveyor be appointed to investigate the property's condition at the time of completion and assess evidence of flooding. Unless a settlement is reached out of court, the matter will proceed to a full trial at a later date.
This legal battle highlights the significant stakes involved in high-value property transactions and the serious allegations that can arise when buyers discover unexpected defects in their new homes.
