NSW Fair Trading’s blitz on unlicensed and dishonest builders continues, with six more NSW tradies prosecuted last month.
One received a 15 month prison sentence over the forging of a fake home building compensation fund certificate, while another was convicted for unlicensed building and failure to provide home building compensation fund cover. Two others were sentenced for unlicensed contracting, receiving excessive deposits and performing unqualified work.
Fair Trading Commissioner Rod Stowe said that no matter where it is operating in this state, Fair Trading investigators will track down unlawful activity in the residential building sector.
“But for consumers, their best protection is vigilance to prevent building and renovation work going awry in the first place.
“Check your builder has a valid licence before any work over $5,000 commences and always check that a valid insurance certificate has been obtained. For specialist work such as plumbing, electrical and gas fitting and refrigeration, check your tradesperson has the relevant qualifications,” he said.
Licences can be checked on the NSW Fair Trading website at: /www.onegov.nsw.gov.au/publicregister/#/publicregister/search/Trades
The Home Building Compensation Fund has an online register of all genuine certificates of insurance issued at: www.hbcf.nsw.gov.au
