A Christchurch couple are not entitled to a "windfall payment" over their red zoned house, according to a judgement released today.
Brooklands couple Paul John Rout and Georgina Anne Knox Rout launched court proceedings against the insurer of their house, but their amended claim of $1.2 million was "entirely misguided" and was "quickly dismissed", Justice David Gendall said.
The judgement from the High Court at Christchurch detailed how the Christchurch earthquakes on September 4, 2010 and February 22, 2011 damaged the Routs' house and property, but not to an extent they could no longer continue living there.
Their property was "red zoned" in July 2011 and in response to an offer under the scheme, the Routs chose to sell the land on which their house was built to the Crown for $396,000.
To date, the Routs have received a maximum payout from the Earthquake Commission (EQC) for damage to their house of $113,850.