Australian Property News

Builder to pay more than $30,000 in fines and compensation

Posted on Monday, October 04 2010 at 2:48 PM

A Victorian building company and its director have been fined $20,000 and ordered to pay more than $11,000 in compensation and legal costs over incomplete and defective building works.

The Melbourne Magistrates’ Court found the company and director guilty of five charges each under the Domestic Building Contracts Act 1995 and the Fair Trading Act 1999.

The builder was contracted to provide renovations to a home, including a new kitchen and new bathroom, for which the builder accepted six payments.

However, the court found the building company and director: didn’t complete the work; used contracts that didn’t comply with Victorian building laws; misled the homeowner about being a registered builder; took a deposit in excess of the statutory maximum; and failed to complete the works within a reasonable timeframe.

Consumer Affairs Minister Tony Robinson said the prosecution was a warning to traders who flouted industry regulations.

“If you want to run a building business in Victoria, get registered and comply with building laws and regulations or risk serious charges and penalties,” he said.

Robinson said Victorians looking to build or renovate their homes should always check with the building commission, that the builder held a current registration with the Building Practitioners Board as a domestic builder: www.buildingcommission.com.au

Plumbers, gasfitters and drainers must be registered or licensed with the Plumbing Industry Commission and carry an identification card: www.pic.vic.gov.au

Electricians must be licensed by Energy Safe Victoria: www.esv.vic.gov.au

More than 35,000 homeowners turned to Consumer Affairs Victoria for advice on building and renovating their homes last financial year. For more information, call 1300 55 81 81 or visit www.consumer.vic.gov.au