Nicola Saia says he was asleep in his Kennington flat when the roof was torn off, leaving him trapped inside a building that was being demolished. He is now seeking up to £100,000 in damages for harassment and unlawful eviction, claiming the ordeal caused shock, stress, anxiety and lasting inconvenience.
The Night the Roof Came Down
On the morning of 18 July 2023, Nicola Saia was woken by loud banging from the roof of his flat at The Cricketers, a former music pub near the Oval that had been converted into residential units. When he went into the living room he saw debris falling from the ceiling and a hole opening above him. Landlord Ravinder Laly and builders were present, and shortly afterwards the front gate was boarded up, effectively locking him inside.
Although the flat was immediately uninhabitable, Saia remained there until the council accepted his homelessness and offered temporary accommodation on 29 July 2023. He says he had to stay because no alternative housing was offered earlier, leaving him exposed to the ongoing demolition work.
Legal Battle Over Tenancy Rights
Saia’s barrister, Kevin Brown, told Judge Karen Evans‑Gordon that two weeks before the work began Laly had warned him the roof would be removed and demolition would start. Brown recited the claimant’s version of events: “On 18 July 2023, Mr Saia was woken at about 9am by loud banging from the roof… He went into his living room and found debris falling from the ceiling. Mr Laly was in attendance with builders and a hole had been made through the roof/ceiling of the living room, bathroom and one of the bedrooms.”
Brown added that the gate was locked with a large padlock, trapping Saia inside on 18 and again on 25 July 2023. He said the water supply had been cut off for a period in June and completely from 25‑29 July, and that the defendants demolished the roof while Saia was still in occupation, actions intended to force him out without a court order.
The defence, led by Ben Leb for Laly and RSL Slough Ltd, disputes that Saia ever held a tenancy. Leb argued that because no rent was paid, Saia had no exclusive possession and therefore no protection from eviction. He maintained that notices to vacate were served on 21 February and 9 June 2023, and that the property was being cleared under a licence held by the landlord’s company. The defence has also filed a counter‑claim alleging trespass by Saia.
Impact and Ongoing Court Proceedings
The case remains before the Central London County Court, with both sides preparing further arguments. Saia says he continues to suffer from trauma and mental‑health difficulties stemming from the incident, while the landlord insists the actions were lawful and that any claim for compensation is unfounded. The outcome could set a precedent for how councils and courts treat occupants of buildings earmarked for demolition when no formal eviction order has been obtained.
Why it Matters
This case highlights the precarious position of residents living in properties slated for redevelopment, especially when formal tenancy agreements are absent. If the court finds in favour of Nicola Saia, it could reinforce the legal requirement that landlords must obtain proper possession orders before carrying out disruptive work, protecting vulnerable occupants from being forced out through intimidation or neglect. Conversely, a victory for the defence might embolden owners to accelerate clearances without offering adequate safeguards, raising concerns about tenant safety and the enforcement of housing rights in rapidly changing urban landscapes.
