Matthew Gore, a homeowner in Berkshire, is embroiled in a legal battle over his £2million purchase of The Old Vicarage, which he claims was riddled with undisclosed defects.
Gore accuses former owners Alastair and Carla Winsey of concealing dry rot fungus and serious structural issues, which he says will require extensive reconstruction.
Gore alleges that the Winseys, who sold him the eight-bedroom property in 2018, intentionally covered up evidence of dry rot fungus and structural defects.
He contends that these issues were not disclosed, significantly inflating the home’s sale price.
Legal Claims and Counterclaims
Seeking £1.2million in damages, Gore argues that this amount reflects the difference between the purchase price and the property’s true value post-discovery of defects.
In response, the Winseys deny any wrongdoing, asserting they were unaware of the dry rot during their ownership.
Surveyors’ Role and Defense
Additionally, Gore is suing Haslams Surveyors LLP, alleging their assessment before purchase failed to highlight these critical issues adequately.
The surveyors, however, defend their report, claiming they warned Gore about potential damp and high risk of dry rot, advising further investigation which he allegedly did not pursue.
Court Proceedings and Costs
The case has escalated to London’s High Court, where both parties presented their arguments before Judge Anneli Howard KC.
With legal costs already totaling £350,000, the dispute revolves around expert testimonies and the validity of property disclosures.
The Winseys’ Post-Property Ventures
Since selling The Old Vicarage, the Winseys have focused on their wedding venue business at Silchester Farm, a luxury retreat in Hampshire.
They have refurbished the farm into a sought-after wedding venue, boasting amenities like a boating lake and rustic barns, charging up to £25,000 per day for weddings.
This ongoing legal saga underscores the complexities of property transactions and the importance of thorough due diligence in real estate purchases.
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