It’s not every day that a multi-million-pound mansion becomes known more for moths than for luxury, but that’s exactly what happened in Notting Hill.
The notorious property, once the centre of a dramatic High Court battle, is now being readied for a second chance on the market.
A Sale That Ended in Court
The seven-bedroom, 11-bathroom home—complete with pool, spa, gym, cinema and even a “snoring room”—was originally sold in 2019 for £32.5 million.
But the buyers, theatre director Iya Patarkatsishvili and her husband Dr Yevhen Hunyak, quickly discovered the dream house was crawling with moths.
They claimed the infestation destroyed their clothes, invaded their food, and even spoiled their wine.
The couple compared the ordeal to the horror film Alien, saying moth larvae seemed to lurk behind the walls.
After a lengthy legal battle, the High Court ruled in their favour, forcing the seller, property developer and former Team GB rower William Woodward-Fisher, to refund them around £33 million.
New Work Underway
Now, just months later, the mansion is buzzing again—this time with builders.
Workers have been seen coming in and out of the property, with windows covered in black sheets as construction noise echoed down the Notting Hill street.
One builder told the Daily Mail they had been on site for two months, clearing out the pests and working on renovations.
He added that the swimming pool and gym were being refurbished, with the house expected to go back on sale once the work wraps up.
Neighbours Still Haunted by the Moth Saga
For those living nearby, memories of the infestation haven’t faded.
One long-time resident said the outbreak even spread to his home, ruining prized cashmere jumpers.
Another neighbour summed up the property’s reputation bluntly: “That’s the Moth House.”
Many locals remain sceptical about whether a buyer can be found so soon, with the moth crisis still fresh in the neighbourhood’s memory.
A Judge’s Damning Verdict
Back in February, Mr Justice Fancourt ruled that Woodward-Fisher had given “false” answers about the home’s condition and failed to honestly disclose the serious moth problem.
While the judge didn’t believe he had deliberately tried to deceive the buyers, he concluded that Woodward-Fisher simply wanted the sale to go through and hoped the problem had gone away.
The ruling meant the couple not only got their money back but were also awarded millions in damages, including compensation for ruined clothing and the hefty Stamp Duty bill they had paid.
The Buyers’ Ordeal
In court, Patarkatsishvili and Hunyak painted a vivid picture of life inside the moth-ridden mansion.
They told how 100 moths a day had to be swatted away, insects landed on their children’s toothbrushes and cutlery, and contractors even walked off the job after finding larvae packed behind the walls.
The family, who had moved from Moscow to London years earlier, said they had spent more than £270,000 trying to tackle the problem before taking the issue to court.
Woodward-Fisher Defends His Position
Despite the judgment, Woodward-Fisher has maintained he acted in good faith.
His spokeswoman said he relied on legal advice during the sale process and used professional insulation materials that were supposed to be moth-proof.
She argued that claims of the house being “crawling with moths” were exaggerated, and stressed that the infestation was hidden within the walls, not visible during normal inspection.
Woodward-Fisher now intends to appeal the ruling.
What Happens Next?
With building crews working to restore the mansion’s grandeur, the property is set to reappear on the market soon.
But whether buyers will be able to look past its reputation as London’s most expensive moth nest remains to be seen.
For now, neighbours are watching closely, some shaking their heads, others simply amused, as the infamous “Moth House” tries to reinvent itself once again.