Horbury Villa in Ladbroke Grove, west London. (Pic: Google Street View)
(EPICSTORIAN) – A London couple won a legal battle after discovering a severe moth infestation in the £32.5 million mansion they purchased.
The High Court ruled that seller William Woodward-Fisher misled them by failing to disclose the problem before finalizing the sale.
Moth Infestation Leads to Lawsuit
Iya Patarkatsishvili and Dr. Yevhen Hunyak took legal action after moths were found throughout their newly acquired home, Horbury Villa in Ladbroke Grove.
The infestation extended into their wine glasses, toothbrushes, and clothing. Many garments were ruined and had to be discarded.
Court documents revealed that Woodward-Fisher, 68, falsely claimed he was unaware of any vermin issues or hidden defects. Reports from pest control companies before the sale had detailed a widespread moth problem, particularly in the property’s insulation.
Fraudulent Misrepresentation and Court Ruling
The High Court found that Woodward-Fisher made “fraudulent misrepresentations” about the property’s condition. He argued that he had been advised moths were not classified as vermin, but the court rejected this defense.
Justice Fancourt ruled in favor of the couple, ordering a partial refund of the purchase price, adjusted for the time they had lived there. The judgment also awarded substantial damages, covering:
The judgment also awarded them substantial damages, covering:
•Stamp duty land tax
•The full cost of moth eradication efforts
•£15,000 in compensation for ruined clothing
Background of the London Couple
Patarkatsishvili, a theatre director, is the daughter of the late Georgian businessman Badri Patarkatsishvili, whose family assets exceeded £2.4 billion in 2012.
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Hunyak, a dental specialist, is the founder of a private children’s dental group in West London.
