A high-end property developer, William Woodward-Fisher, has been handed a legal bill exceeding £36.5 million after losing a lawsuit filed by Iya Patarkatsishvili, a super-rich heiress, who bought a luxury mansion from him that was infested with millions of moths.
Patarkatsishvili, the daughter of a Georgian multi-billionaire, purchased the lavish Horbury Villa in Notting Hill, West London, for £32.5 million in May 2019. The property, a grand early Victorian mansion with a pool, gym, wine room, cinema, and even a 'snoring room' designed for a perfect night's sleep, appeared to be the ideal home for her and her husband, Dr. Yevhen Hunyak, a pediatric dentist. However, their dream home quickly turned into a nightmare when they discovered the infestation.
Iya Patarkatsishvili and her husband Dr Yevhen Hunyak
Just days after moving in, Patarkatsishvili and her husband noticed the first signs of moths flying around their new home. Their initial discovery soon escalated, and they realized that they were dealing with an overwhelming infestation that an insect specialist later described as "of extreme proportions." In fact, Dr. Hunyak was reportedly swatting around 100 moths a day to try and manage the problem, and even after extensive treatment, they continued to kill up to 35 moths daily.
The source of the infestation was later traced to the wool insulation behind the walls and ceilings of the mansion, which had been infested by moths. Patarkatsishvili and Hunyak took legal action against Woodward-Fisher, accusing him of fraudulent misrepresentation. They claimed that he had failed to disclose the severe moth problem during the sale process, which led them to sue for a refund of the £32.5 million purchase price, plus additional compensation.
In a ruling earlier this month, a High Court judge found in favor of the couple, stating that Woodward-Fisher had made false representations about the property's condition. The judge concluded that the couple had been misled into purchasing the mansion because Woodward-Fisher failed to disclose the infestation in pre-sale inquiries. As a result, the judge ordered Woodward-Fisher to refund the £32.5 million purchase price, minus about £6.4 million to account for the five years the couple had spent in the property.
However, the final legal bill for Woodward-Fisher has skyrocketed. The total amount owed to the couple now stands at over £36.5 million, which includes the £32.5 million refund, £4.7 million in interest on the original purchase price, and over £5 million in damages. Additionally, Woodward-Fisher will be required to pay the couple’s legal fees, with an upfront payment of £750,000 towards the total cost, which could reach up to £2.9 million after further assessment.
The court's decision has significant consequences for Woodward-Fisher, who, despite his defense that he was unaware of the extent of the moth problem, was found to have deliberately withheld key information about the property's condition. The judge noted that while Woodward-Fisher had hoped the issue might resolve itself, he was willing to risk not disclosing the problem in order to secure a quick sale.
The Patarkatsishvili-Hunyak family will now receive a full refund for the mansion, but will need to vacate the property within the next few months to allow Woodward-Fisher to sell it in order to cover the debt he owes. The case is a stark reminder of the financial and reputational risks involved in the sale of luxury real estate, especially when crucial information is withheld or misrepresented.
