Nick Jonas and Priyanka Chopra’s dream home has turned into a nightmare, as water damage has resulted in a mold infestation in their luxurious California mansion. This issue has sparked an ongoing legal battle, as reported exclusively by Page Six.
The couple purchased the lavish property in September 2019 for $20 million. The mansion features seven bedrooms, nine bathrooms, a chef’s kitchen, a temperature-controlled wine room, an indoor basketball court, an interior bowling alley, a home theater, an entertainment lounge, a spa with a steam shower, a full-service gym, and a billiards room.
As they navigate this unexpected situation, fans are left wondering how the couple will resolve the legal challenges surrounding their once-idyllic home.
However, according to a copy of a lawsuit filed in May 2023 and exclusively obtained by Page Six, the pool and spa began to present a series of issues for the then-newlyweds around April 2020, including “porous waterproofing” that “fostered mold contamination and related issues.”
“At or about the same time, a water leak appeared at the barbecue area on the deck,” the complaint states.
“This leak damaged a portion of the interior living area immediately below the deck.”
The home’s problems allegedly made the premises “virtually unlivable” and “dangerous from a health perspective to occupy.”
“This has resulted in substantial and significant damage along with a failure of consideration which requires that the purchase and sale be rescinded,” the lawsuit also states, further noting that Jonas and Chopra are seeking via their trustee “consequential damages.”
“In the alternative, plaintiff should be reimbursed for all costs of repair, plus compensation for the loss of use and other damages caused by defendants’ conduct,” their attorneys further argue.
The exact costs have not yet been determined but, per the complaint, the waterproofing issues “will exceed” $1.5 million and “general damages” are estimated to be at around $2.5 million.
In an exclusive update, lawyer Fred Fenster, who represents the trustee in the case surrounding Nick Jonas and Priyanka Chopra’s mansion, revealed that the legal proceedings have faced significant delays. This is largely due to the parties involved shifting blame through a series of lawsuits against one another.
“The trustee filed the lawsuit against the builder, who then filed a cross-complaint against subcontractors. The subcontractors have also initiated lawsuits against their own parties,” Fenster explained. “It’s like everybody who put a pick or a shovel in the property is going to be involved, and it’s going to be up to the builder to decide and prove who was responsible for the defects.”
As the legal battle continues, Nick, 31, and Priyanka, 41, have relocated with their 2-year-old daughter, Malti, to another property while construction progresses on their luxury home in an effort to address the ongoing issues. The couple’s commitment to resolving the situation underscores their dedication to creating a safe and comfortable environment for their family.
As Nick Jonas and Priyanka Chopra navigate the ongoing legal issues with their California mansion, it remains unclear when they plan to move back in. Currently, no one is living at the residence, and it is not being rented out.
According to public records, in August 2023—amid the ongoing lawsuit—the trustee entered into a deed of trust and assignment of rents agreement with the home’s lender. However, lawyer Fred Fenster has clarified that this does not indicate any financial problems for either Jonas or Chopra. Instead, he described it as “standard operating procedure” intended to provide “security for the loan.”
As the couple continues to address the water damage and mold issues, their focus remains on ensuring a safe and comfortable home for their family.
“So long as the borrower, the owner of the property, pays the monthly payments and the taxes and all other expenses associated with ownership of the property, the deed of trust remains in effect,” the attorney adds.
A copy of the assignment of rents agreement obtained by Page Six shows that the maximum principal obligation for Jonas and Chopra’s trust is $1.5 million with a maturity date of Aug. 2, 2053.
“It’s a standard practice that every bank in California does in order to secure a loan. Otherwise, it would be an unsecured loan,” Fenster states.
As for the legal battle, he says a trial date likely won’t be set until 2025, but Jonas and Chopra are free to move back in whenever they please despite the court case.