By NICOLE VALICEK
A building practitioner has been fined $24,000 for carrying out domestic building work at a Reservoir property without a building permit, insurance or registration.
The Newport resident received the penalty in the Magistrates’ Court of Victoria following a prosecution by the Building Commission.
He was also ordered to pay costs of $101.60.
The court was told that in April 2011, the man, who was not registered as a building practitioner at the time, entered into a verbal agreement with the property owner to carry out more than $200,000 worth of building work at the Reservoir address.
The work included demolition of part of the dwelling, kitchen extension, internal alterations and a roof replacement.
Building work commenced on or around 18 April 2011 without the man obtaining a building permit or builders’ warranty insurance.
On 14 July 2011, after the property owner had paid the man $125,000 for the building work, he ceased work at the address and did not carry out any work at that time.
The court penalised the man a total of $21,000 for carrying out work without a building permit, without the required insurance and without being registered with the Building Practitioners Board as a domestic builder.
He was fined an additional $3000 for entering into a non-contract and for applying to retain the existing work he had done without written authorisation from the property owner.
In handing down the $24,000 penalty, Magistrate Jenny Grubissa said she hoped the fine would send a strong message to the broader community of the need for all Victorians to follow the letter of the law when carrying out domestic building work.
The Building Commissioner Grey Hyams said the case highlighted the importance when building in and around a home to make absolute sure that the work has a building permit and is performed by a registered builder.
To find out if your builder is registered, contact the Building Commissioner on 1300 815 127 or visit www.buildingcommission.com.au.
