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Couple Faces Moth Infestation in Million-Dollar Mansion and Wins, in Court, the Right to Return the Property After the Problem Was Detected.
A luxury mansion in London, valued at US$ 40.2 million, has become the center of an unusual legal battle. A couple who purchased the property discovered a severe moth infestation and now, with a favorable court ruling, will be able to return it and recover a large portion of the price paid.
Purchase of the Million-Dollar Mansion and Unwanted Discovery
Iya Patarkatsishvili, daughter of a Georgian billionaire, and her husband, Yevhen Hunyak, bought the property in 2019 for £32.5 million. Located on a quiet street in the Notting Hill area, Horbury Villa impressed with its Victorian facade and high-standard amenities, featuring a pool, spa, gym, cinema, and a wine cellar.
However, the impeccable appearance hid a problem: a colony of moths residing in the house’s insulation.
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Shortly after moving in, the new owners noticed a constant presence of moths. The insects appeared on personal items such as toothbrushes, towels, and wine glasses. Clothing was damaged, and some had to be discarded.
Hunyak reported that on certain days, he killed between 10 and 35 moths, an effort also made by the family and their staff.
Fraud and Omission in the Sales Process
The couple decided to take the case to court, alleging that the seller concealed information about the infestation. Judge Fancourt agreed with the accusation, stating that there was “fraudulent misrepresentation” and omission of a serious defect in the property.
According to the documents presented, Woodward-Fisher’s wife had already identified the problem in 2018, after a renovation that included the replacement of insulation.
Email exchanges with pest control companies were used as evidence. Despite this, the seller responded negatively to questions about pests and hidden defects during the sales process.
The judge noted that while he did not believe Woodward-Fisher acted with a clear intent to deceive the buyers, he chose to ignore the problem in order to sell the house. “He simply wanted to sell the house and move on,” Fancourt stated.
Court Ruling and Financial Consequences
The court ruling allowed the couple to return the property and recover nearly all of their investment, minus the time they occupied the home. Additionally, they will receive substantial compensation for expenses incurred in failed attempts to eliminate the infestation.
Experts explain that the clothing moth (Tineola bisselliella), identified in the mansion, feeds on organic materials such as wool and cotton. The insulation installed during the renovation provided ideal conditions for proliferation, making eradication more difficult.
With information from CNN.
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