The London High Court ruled that the daughter and her husband of a Georgian billionaire said their £32.5 million Notting Hill mansion was infested by millions of moths and could hand over the property to the seller and take back the seller, London High School The court ruled.
Justice Timothy Fancourt found Monday in favor of Iya Patarkatsishvili and Yevhen Hunyak, who said there was no obvious sign of the insect before buying Horbury Villa six years ago.
He said the "large portion" of the evidence presented by seller William Woodward-Fisher is "not exaggerating."
"He just wanted to sell the house and keep moving forward," Fancourt said, adding that Patarkatsishvili and Hunyak have the right to "revoke" the sales contract - giving them a return that meets the purchase funds.
The couple bought a Victorian property in West London in 2019, which includes a swimming pool, spa, cinema and gymnasium. The couple said their faces, ruined their clothes, fell into the wine.
Patarkatsishvili's father was the late Georgian tycoon Badri Patarkatsishvili, her husband, pediatric dentist, sued Woodward-Fisher for fraudulent statements.
The couple said the moths were hiding on the walls and ceilings, entering the house and landing on toothbrushes and towels.
They claimed that surveyor Woodward-Fisher failed to tell them that he commissioned a pest control company when he lived on the property.
During a civil trial last year, the defendant said he was treated only by moths to humor his wife. He said any issues had been resolved before the couple moved in.
Fancourt said Monday that potential buyers gave "false" answers to various questions about possible flaws, and Woodward-Fisher "hopefully the problem may have gone."
He said Patarkatsishvili and Hunyak also caused "significant" losses, including costs caused by the couple's attempt to deal with the intrusion, rather than reflecting their deductions for use of the property.
The last transaction will be confirmed this month.
The judge said the property should be sold and the couple's right to repay the debt will be protected by a fair lien on the assets.
“There is no reason to think that if the proper work is done, documented and audited professionals will have any significant lasting impact on the value of the home, although the sale of the full value may be longer than usual and can be achieved, Fancourt added.
Chris Webber, a litigation partner at Squire Patton Boggs, said the law firm “is happy with our clients and Ms. Patarkatsishvili is happy with our clients”.
"It's a very difficult time for our clients," he added.
A Woodward-Fisher spokesman said he was "apparently disappointed and seriously considered the verdict. . Mr. Woodward-Fisher is exploring his reasons for appeal."