A building practitioner has been penalised a total of $24,000 for carrying out domestic building work at a Reservoir property without a building permit, insurance or registration.

Mr Ronald Peter-Budge of Newport received the penalty in the Magistrates’ Court of Victoria following a prosecution by the Building Commission.

In April 2011, Mr Peter-Budge, who was not registered as a building practitioner at the time, entered into a verbal agreement with the property owner to carry out over $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.

Mr Peter-Budge commenced the building work on or about 18 April 2011 without obtaining a building permit or builders warranty insurance. On 14 July 2011, after the property owner had paid Mr Peter-Budge $125,000 for the building work, Mr Peter-Budge ceased working at the address and has not carried out any further work since that time. The building work has since been completed by another building practitioner.

The Building Commission was alerted to the matter after the property owner contacted the City of Darebin and the Commission to ask if a building permit had been issued for the work.

Mr Peter-Budge was penalised 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. An additional $3,000 penalty was imposed for entering into a non-compliant 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 hoped that 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.

Echoing her sentiment, the Building Commissioner, Mr Greg Hyams said that it is the role of the Building Commission to uphold the state’s building control system and ensure the safety, liveability and sustainability of Victoria’s built environment. He adds that the case highlights the importance of ensuring a building permit prior to commencing any building work around the home and also making sure the work is performed by a registered building practitioner.