Former Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur goalkeeper Carlo Cudicini is facing legal action from the landlord of his £3 million mews house in west London after allegedly converting the property's roof into an unauthorized sun terrace without permission.
Court documents and reports from UK property and celebrity news outlets indicate that the dispute centers on structural alterations Cudicini made to the Grade II-listed mews property in a prestigious area of Kensington or Chelsea (exact location protected for privacy reasons in filings). The landlord claims the rooftop modification—described as turning a previously unused or pitched roof space into a flat, usable sun terrace with decking, seating, and possibly balustrading—violates the terms of the leasehold agreement and local planning regulations.
Key points of contention include:
Lack of prior written consent from the freeholder/landlord for the works.
Potential breach of building regulations and conservation area rules, given the historic status of many London mews properties.
Alleged risk of damage to the building's structure, waterproofing, or shared elements.
Failure to obtain necessary planning permission from the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea council.
The landlord is reportedly seeking an injunction to compel Cudicini to restore the roof to its original condition, along with damages for any proven structural or aesthetic harm, and recovery of legal costs. Some reports suggest the claim could exceed £100,000 when factoring in reinstatement expenses and professional fees.
Cudicini, 52, who retired from professional football in 2015 after a career that included stints at Chelsea (1999–2009), Tottenham (2009–2012), and Los Angeles Galaxy, purchased or leased the mews house several years ago as a family residence following his move back to London. The property, valued at approximately £3 million, is typical of London's high-end mews conversions—compact, stylish, and highly sought-after—but subject to strict leasehold covenants and heritage protections.
Neither Cudicini nor his representatives have issued a public comment on the lawsuit as of February 24, 2026. Legal sources close to the matter suggest he may argue that the works were minor, non-structural, and reversible, or that implied consent existed through prior discussions. However, the landlord's position appears to rest on clear lease clauses prohibiting unauthorized alterations to the building envelope.
The case highlights a growing trend in London's ultra-prime property market where leasehold disputes over roof terraces, basement excavations, and other value-adding modifications frequently escalate to court. Grade II-listed or conservation-area mews homes often carry particularly stringent restrictions to preserve original character.
The matter is expected to be heard in the coming months at the Central London County Court or High Court (Chancery Division), depending on the value and complexity of the claim.
No hearing date has been publicly listed yet, and the dispute remains ongoing with both sides reportedly exploring settlement options to avoid protracted litigation.
