A prestigious property purchase in one of London's most exclusive postcodes has turned into a legal battleground after a barrister discovered her multi-million pound home was hiding a deeply submerged secret.
Dr Rupa Chinwalla, a successful commercial barrister, is suing the previous owner of her £4.5 million Notting Hill townhouse after finding its basement catastrophically flooded with water. The purchaser claims this critical defect was deliberately concealed from her during the high-stakes transaction.
A Costly Discovery
The scale of the problem became horrifyingly clear shortly after moving into the W11 property. The basement, a valuable space in any London home, was found to be entirely underwater. Investigations revealed the flooding was not a temporary issue but a permanent state due to a significantly high water table beneath the building.
This rendered the entire lower level of the home unusable, effectively diminishing the property's value and functionality. Dr Chinwalla alleges the previous owner, Ms Patricia Hollis, was fully aware of the chronic issue but actively took steps to hide it.
The Alleged Cover-Up
Court documents reveal a tale of alleged deception. It is claimed that the seller constructed a false plasterboard wall specifically to box in and conceal the rising water within the basement lightwell. Furthermore, the barrister asserts that the seller strategically placed furniture and rugs over the affected basement areas during viewings, preventing any potential buyer from spotting the tell-tale signs of moisture and damage.
Perhaps most damningly, it is alleged that in the Property Information Form (TA6), a legally significant document completed by the seller, Ms Hollis answered 'No' to the direct question: "Has the property ever suffered from flooding or water damage?"
A Legal Battle Commences
Faced with the enormous cost of rectification—which may not even be fully possible—Dr Chinwalla has launched legal proceedings at the High Court. She is seeking substantial damages for what she claims is a case of misrepresentation and concealment.
Her claim states the true value of the property was severely reduced by the latent defect, and she would not have purchased the home—or would have paid significantly less for it—had she been aware of the true condition. The defendant, Ms Hollis, has denied the allegations, setting the stage for a fierce legal fight over one of West London's most troubled luxury homes.
