Social media influencer Troy ‘Candy’ Williams says the $4.65 million dream home he purchased with partner Anita Cassin has turned into a nightmare.
The Gen Y party boy entrepreneur, known for his business partnership with billionaire promotor, Adrian Portelli, is facing huge costs to fix defects, one year after splurging on the sprawling mansion in an exclusive gated community.
The double-storey Gold Coast house with lavish features including resort-style pool and spa, in-home cinema and putting green was a significant upgrade for the high-profile couple, who share a young son, Saint, and paid $1.64m for their last waterfront home in 2021.
Williams said repairing leaks throughout the property would cost about $200,000.
“Everywhere is leaking,” he said.
“Outside, inside, I’ve already spent one hundred grand [on repairs] and…there’s another couple of grand to go.
“I’ve literally got holes everywhere and it’s been going on for a year.
“It’s a f***ing nightmare.”
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Williams said issues since moving into the home in October 2023 included collapsed ceilings leaving gaping holes over living spaces, water leaking over electrical cables, and mouldy carpets, walls and doors.
“It’s very disheartening when you work hard and put all your life savings into a house,” he said.
“I am sharing this to get the message out there for people to take their time and do their due diligence.
“It doesn’t matter if it is a $4.5m house, it still could be bodgy.”
He obtained a pest and building report prior to settlement which revealed some previous flooding but “not to the extent” of what had since transpired.
Williams said he had felt pressured to purchase the home because he was told another buyer was interested.
The sales agent denied responsibility.
“The buyer undertook his own due diligence ahead of the purchase,” the agent said.
“He arranged for a third-party building and pest inspection, as all buyers should, before he purchased the property. I have never made any representations about the state of the property and any suggestion otherwise has no basis in fact.
“I feel sorry for Troy and his family for going through this but it was through no fault of mine.”
A post-purchase assessment by a building inspector earlier this year found “non-compliant works everywhere”.
“Roofing problems, inadequate drainage, and structural damage are just the beginning,” the inspector said.
“Our inspection revealed water leaks, rusted fixtures and poor ventilation, all hidden beneath the surface of this opulent home.”
Known as Solaris, the five-bedroom, seven-bathroom house was renovated in 2016 with luxury perks including a mineral pool, spa, sauna, gym, Gold Class-style theatre, games room, two-hole putting green, and five-car garage.
The house is located within a secure estate that has hosted celebrity guests including Pink, Adele, Dave Grohl, Paris Hilton, Johnny Depp, Nicole Kidman and The Rock, according to the property’s website.
Real Estate Institute of Queensland (REIQ) CEO Antonia Mercorella said real estate professionals had a duty to find out or verify ‘material facts’ about the property under the Property Occupations Act 2014.
“The REIQ’s best practice guidelines are if you are aware of information about a property which could materially impact whether someone buys it, then you should disclose that information. This is generally consistent with the principles of Australian consumer law,” Ms Mercorella said.
“Having said this, buyers are still responsible for conducting their own diligence when it comes to buying a property. Pest and building inspections are always recommended to identify any pest infestation issues or other structural issues and defects affecting the property.”
From 1 August 2025, a uniform seller’s disclosure regime will come into effect in Queensland.