A Perth magistrate says two home owners were left in a “vulnerable position” after paying for substandard work by a landscaper, who ignored orders from the Building Commissioner to fix the faults.
Haval Akrawy, also known as Rico Charles and trading as JL Exposed Concreting & Landscaping, was fined $5,000 at Perth Magistrates Court for twice failing to comply with a building remedy order without a reasonable excuse. This is an offence under WA’s building service complaint laws.
According to facts presented in court, a Beeliar home owner lodged a complaint with Building and Energy in 2020 regarding the quality of an artificial lawn installed by Mr Akrawy. The subsequent building remedy order required Mr Akrawy to correct issues such as improper compaction, incorrect levels, excessive gaps and inadequate fixings, including unsecured cut-off pieces.
In 2021, a home owner in Ashby lodged a complaint with Building and Energy about Mr Akrawy’s installation of exposed aggregate concrete. A building remedy order required rectification of excessive cracks and completion of unfinished work.
Mr Akrawy made no attempt to comply with either order within the 28-day deadline, nor has he paid subsequent compensation orders.
In court last month, Magistrate Elaine Campione also ordered Mr Akrawy to pay $2,044.30 in costs and noted his lack of engagement with any part of the process. Her Honour said the substandard work had left the consumers in a vulnerable position.
Building and Energy Executive Director Saj Abdoolakhan said building industry participants who do not uphold their responsibilities will be held to account.
“It is unacceptable to carry out work of this standard in the first place, as well as showing a blatant disregard for the opportunity to make it right,” Mr Abdoolakhan said.
“Not complying with a building remedy order is illegal and the consequences will not simply go away.
“I also urge consumers to avoid paying for any work in full until it is completed to the standard agreed in a written and signed contract.”
