James Mayo wants AVO against Bondi neighbours after spilt tea

The owner of the country’s most expensive apartment to go under the hammer, James Mayo, is seeking AVOs against his neighbours in Bondi.

There’s trouble in paradise. The owner of the country’s most expensive apartment to go under the hammer, James Mayo, is seeking AVOs against his neighbours in Bondi.

Multi-millionaire Mr Mayo, who recently sold the luxurious Bondi apartment for a record $20.5 million, is seeking court approval for a private Apprehended Violence Order.

He claims some hot liquid, “perhaps tea”, was poured over his fifth-floor neighbours’ balcony, burning him and his dog, who were down in the street.

James Mayo and former partner Tottie Goldsmith at the Red Ball.

It is understood police were called a day after the alleged incident, on a Friday evening about two weeks ago, but declined to seek any apprehended violence orders.

No charges have been laid. Police declined to comment on Wednesday.

Mr Mayo, 54, will apply in Waverley Local Court on Thursday for private AVOs against the neighbours, court records show.

A director of the family firm Mayo Hardware, Mr Mayo sold the apartment – with its sweeping views north along Bondi Beach – at auction in March.

He is moving into a harbourfront mansion at nearby Point Piper which he purchased last year for $36 million.

Hardware millionaire James Mayo’s Bondi penthouse. Picture: Toby Zerna

The penthouse sits directly behind Bondi Icebergs and has sweeping views of the beach. Picture: Toby Zerna

The world-championship winning yachtie, who as a teenager crewed on the Sydney to Hobart-winning supermaxi yacht Sovereign, has lived in the apartment which overlooks the Bondi Icebergs since he bought it in 2016 for $9.8 million.

The neighbours at the centre of the court applications are also well known in the eastern suburbs community for their charity work and count NRL personalities among their social circle.

On Wednesday, the neighbours said they had no comment to make on the pending court action.

It is understood, however, that they will deny the allegations and defend the AVO application in court.

Mr Mayo is seeking a two-year order against one neighbour and a 12-month order against the other.

Mr Mayo did not reply to a request for comment.