Builder penalised for offences at multiple sites

Domestic builder Mutlu Alan (DB-U 47148) was reprimanded and penalised by the Victorian Building Authority (VBA) for work done in Moonee Ponds, Broadford, Preston, Thornbury and Braybrook.

At the Moonee Ponds site, Mr Alan failed to notify the relevant building surveyor (RBS) without delay of the completion of the mandatory notification stage prior to placing footing (underpins), as well as failing to notify at the final completion stage.

At the Broadford site, he failed to notify the RBS without delay of the completion of the mandatory notification stage prior to placing footing (stump holes).

Mr Alan failed to comply with written directions to fix building work at the Preston, Thornbury and Braybrook sites.

The VBA’s Regulatory Operations Executive Director David Brockman said practitioners needed to follow the correct processes and act promptly when ordered to fix issues.

“We expect builders to know the proper processes and adhere to them. Failure to do this will result in a costly penalty,” Mr Brockman said.

“Mr Alan’s numerous errors have added up and proved costly for him, but it is consumers who bear the real cost when practitioners fail to follow the rules.”

Among the assortment of issues Mr Alan was asked to fix were missing stump tie-downs at the Thornbury site, soil that had been used to backfill the underpins contrary to the engineering design at the Braybrook site, and stumps that had been installed out of plumb by more than 10mm at the Preston site.

Mr Brockman said the VBA had a role in ensuring practitioners understand how to do things correctly, and in discouraging risky, harmful or illegal behaviour in the building and plumbing industries.

“We expect industry to comply with rules which are in place to ensure that the buildings we live and work in are safe and of good quality.

“We oversee and audit building works, hold practitioners to account and take firm action when it's needed," he said.

The VBA has an online consumer resource portal with information for anyone who experiences issues with builders or plumbers.

To find a licensed or registered practitioner, visit vba.vic.gov.au/check