A 48-year-old Maribyrnong man who allegedly posed as a registered building inspector, produced false or misleading documentation and carried out mandatory inspections when not registered has been charged with 33 breaches of the Building Act 1993 (the Act).
The alleged offending is before the Melbourne Magistrates’ Court and relates to his activities at 12 sites across metropolitan Melbourne.
An extensive investigation by the Victorian Building Authority (VBA) uncovered numerous alleged breaches of the Act in circumstances that caused considerable distress and financial impact to consumers.
The alleged offending includes:
- 24 charges under section 169E – carried out work as a building inspector when he was not registered.
- Two charges under section 169 – represented or implied that he was registered as building surveyor and/or building inspector when he was not registered.
- Two charges under section 169C – represented or implied that he was able to carry out work as a building inspector when he was not registered.
- Two charges under section 246(2) – produced a document to a person carrying out a function under the Act, which he knew to be false or misleading.
- Two charges under section 176(1A)(a) – practised as a building inspector by carrying out mandatory inspections when not registered.
- One charge under section 169B – represented or implied that he was able to accept the appointment as a building surveyor and/or carry out work as a building surveyor when he was not registered.
The VBA continues to work with other enforcement agencies in relation to the alleged offending.
The matter is next listed for hearing at the Melbourne Magistrates’ Court on 27 March 2024.
The VBA reminds consumers to make sure their builder or plumber is registered or licensed by visiting.
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