Nick Jonas and Priyanka Chopra’s dream home turned into a nightmare when water damage led to a mold infestation in their lavish California mansion, sparking a legal battle that is still ongoing, Pvnew has exclusively learned.
The couple purchased the luxury property — which boasts seven bedrooms, nine bathrooms, a chef’s kitchen, temperature-controlled wine room, an indoor basketball court, interior bowling alley, a home theater, an entertainment lounge, a spa with steam shower, a full service gym and a billiards room — in September 2019 for $20 million.
However, according to a copy of a lawsuit filed in May 2023 and exclusively obtained by Pvnew, 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substantial and significant damage along with a failure of consideration which requires that the purchase and sale be rescinded,” the lawsuit also states, further noting that Jonas and Chopra are seeking via their trustee “consequential damages.”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.
Pvnew spoke exclusively with lawyer Fred Fenster, who represents the trustee and explains that there have been some delays due to the fact that everyone involved is suing one another to deter the blame.
“The trustee filed the lawsuit against the builder, the builder then filed a cross-complaint against sub-contractors, the sub-contractors then filed lawsuits against their people,” he tells us.
“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.”
In the meantime, we’re told Jonas, 31, and Chopra, 41, have moved with their 2-year-old daughter, Malti, into another property while construction continues on their luxe home in an effort to repair the issues.
It’s unclear when the Jonas Brothers member and “Quantico” alum plan to move back, but a source says that there is no one living at the residence as of now and it is not being rented.
Per public records, it appears that 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, Fenster clarifies that this is no indication of any financial issues on behalf of either Jonas or Chopra and is simply “standard operating procedure” to provide “security for the loan.”
“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 Pvnew 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.
A source close to the Hollywood couple adds in an exclusive statement to Pvnew that “they had invested significantly in the home and were disappointed with the building errors.
“The house is currently under repair and they expect it to be in perfect condition shortly.”
Reps for Jonas and Chopra did not immediately return Pvnew’s requests for comment.
