From palace to pigsty
Luxury Jávea rental trashed by tenants
Tennants trashed €11,500-amonth villa
OWNERS of a luxury Costa Blanca property allege the home has been wrecked by the son of a billionaire businessman and his entourage during a 10-month stay.
The Saudi Arabian, his family and staff were said to have fled the Palacio de la Paz in Jávea owing rent but leaving a trail of destruction to furniture, fixtures and fittings - including antiques - while graffiti has been daubed on walls.
Chris and Sue Nutbrown discovered the extent of the damage when they were finally able to access the €11,500-a-month home - and immediately started legal proceedings.
The couple invited CBN to view the damage on Monday before the house was cleaned - a task expected to last at least a week - warning visitors should wear a mask because of the stench of pee and poop. They said a pet rabbit had roamed free from its ‘nest’ in the wine cellar and droppings confirmed its favourite resting places around the house; other remains were suspected to be human in origin.
Chris and Sue said the house was let last September, the tenant using his father’s name they researched the businessman to discover ‘he is a billionaire’ with a beverage company in the Middle East, a Paris perfume company and owning property in the UK.
And they said: “He used his father’s name, we Googled it and thought the guy looked a lot older than his passport photo!”
The tenant, his wife, four young children, nanny and maid, security guards, moved into the villa and its four detached bungalows. Chris and Sue said the husband quickly built a reputation for his free spending at various nightclubs.
“We had a clause in the contract so giving 72 hours notice we were entitled to make an inspection,” said Chris. “When we returned from the UK in February we tried to get an appointment to view the property - he kept postponing it because he said he was away and then lockdown happened.
“Then there was an issue with the water. I was telephoned and said it was all in hand...then he short-changed us with the rent because they said they were without water for a week - it was actually for an hour!”
LAWYER
Chris said a lawyer later became involved; the attorney said the husband had left but there were allegations of domestic violence being lodged at court. It was suggested the family would leave if they were paid a sum of cash.
With rental debts rising, an ‘apologetic’ relation called from Saudi and said the family would be leaving - it was understood the husband had moved to the UK.
However, Chris and Sue said in the meantime bills were run up across Jávea; the electricity to the property was also cut off when the bill to Iberdrola was paid and ‘clawed back the next day’.
Last week they were called to say the family was loading up the last of their suitcases and leaving. The couple immediately went to the villa and changed all the locks.
Sue said: “It was the smell that hit us first. There is pee and poo all over the place - it is debateable whether it is all down to the rabbit.
“Antiques have been ruined and furniture and fittings wrecked; it is really upsetting this is what we do, we do up houses to sell but because of the market we have been renting.”
She said part of the entourage were still at the house and helping to restore order. “They have not been paid for a couple of months - they say the nanny was not paid for the last two years.”
The house has to be ready for its next rental in October. It is a three-year let with a view to buying the property. In the meantime they hope to make a claim against their late tenant’s insurance.
Sue added: “It will be a palace again. There is damage and breakages to put right - it is the stench and filth that is so terrible.”