A couple who purchased a London mansion for £32.5 million (AUD $64.28 million) have been allowed by a court to return the property and recover most of their costs after discovering a severe moth infestation.
The grand Victorian-style home, Horbury Villa, located on a peaceful street near Notting Hill, appeared to be the ideal residence. However, behind its elegant exterior, a moth colony hidden in the insulation caused significant damage throughout the property, which features a pool, spa, gym, cinema, and wine room.
Iya Patarkatsishvili, the daughter of a Georgian billionaire, and her husband Yevhen Hunyak bought the property in May 2019 from William Woodward-Fisher, a surveyor and residential developer, as revealed in a recent court judgment.
After moving into their new home, the couple discovered moths on their toothbrushes, towels, and wine glasses. The infestation also damaged their clothing, with some items having to be discarded.
At one point, Hunyak reported killing between 10 and 35 moths daily, with his family and cleaners doing the same.
A judge ruled in favor of the couple, stating that Woodward-Fisher had made “fraudulent misrepresentations” and had concealed the serious moth infestation in the house’s insulation prior to the sale, as outlined in the judgment summary.
Justice Fancourt determined that Woodward-Fisher had provided false answers to three questions before selling the property, including denying any knowledge of a vermin infestation or hidden defects in the house.
The judgment revealed that Woodward-Fisher’s wife had noticed a clothes moth problem (Tineola Bisselliella) in early 2018, after new insulation was installed during major renovations.
Extermination specialists were brought in to address the issue, and she shared some of the related emails with her husband. However, Justice Fancourt stated that he didn’t believe Woodward-Fisher had intentionally tried to deceive the couple, but rather was eager to sell the house and move on.
In addition to refunding most of the purchase price, minus the time they spent living in the property, the couple was awarded substantial damages and the costs they incurred trying to eradicate the moth infestation.