The couple have rented the Maida Vale flat since November last year
(Picture: Champion News)An aristocrat is at loggerheads with a landlord over claims she was left “living in total darkness” when he cut off the electricity to her Airbnb rental in a row over money.
Countess Christine Bolza, 48, says she and her husband, Count Niki Bolza, 51, had “no lighting or heating or fridge” for 20 days after falling out with the owner of the Maida Vale flat they have rented since November last year. She is suing Talha Abbasi for £25,000 in damages for “anxiety, inconvenience and mental stress”, in a battle which has run up £110,000 in legal bills. Mr Abbasi says the couple are effectively squatters and owe £40,000 in unpaid rent.
Count Niki and his architect brother, Benedikt, helped renovate their family’s estate in Umbria, Castello di Reschio, now a renowned retreat for the wealthy. But he and his wife developed cash-flow problems in the lead-up to the collapse of their property company. Nibco, which in 2019 planned to turn a Liverpool department store into a 157-bedroom hotel, was wound up in July.
When they struggled to meet the £3,435-per-month rent in March, the couple say power was cut off. At Mayor’s and City County Court, the countess said Mr Abbasi “attempted to gain access to the apartment in an intimidatory and aggressive manner”. He says he only cut off the electricity after his electrician refused to sign off the meter as safe.
Barrister for the countess, Michael Marsh-Hyde, said that when the couple were unable to make the full rent payment they notified the landlord: “It is our case that Mr Abbasi threatened to withdraw electricity unless she vacated the premises the next day. On March 16 2022, the electricity was disconnected.” He said it remained off until 4 April.
The couple claim their extended stay gives them legal rights equivalent to a short-hold tenancy. Mr Abbasi says it was a “holiday” rental, granting them limited rights. He denies breach of covenant, attempted unlawful eviction, interference and harassment, and is pursuing alleged unpaid rent.
Judge Stephen Hellman reserved his ruling until a later date.
