NSW Fair Trading Minister, Linda Burney, today announced two recent convictions in the Parramatta Local Court which should act as warnings for building contractors and car dealers who try to get around the law.

Mr Michael John Capper and his company, Crestwood Plumbing Pty Ltd, were convicted for contracting to do unlicensed building work, carrying out unlicensed residential building work and failing to provide his client with home warranty insurance.

“Mr Capper was ordered to pay a total of $9,140 in fines and costs,” Ms Burney said. 

“Fair Trading found that Mr Capper and Crestwood Plumbing Pty Ltd had entered into a contract with a consumer in Cherrybrook to carry out renovation work for an amount of $57,706.00 for which he and his company was not licensed. 

“In addition to not holding the appropriate licence, as the job was valued at over $12,000, the company was required to provide home warranty insurance. Mr Capper failed to do so.” 

Ms Burney said Mr Francis Joseph Pass was convicted for allowing his motor dealer’s licence to be used by someone who was not the holder of a licence and for failing to enter details of cars sold in a compulsory register, known as the Form 2 Register.

“Mr Pass first came to the attention of Fair Trading when investigators carried out an inspection of Western Used Cars at Guildford,” Ms Burney said. 

“He was ordered by the Parramatta Local Court to pay $9,220 in fines and legal costs. 

“Unlicensed motor dealers pose a serious risk for consumers.  Dealers who do not maintain their records disadvantage both purchasers of motor vehicles and the rightful owners.”

For information and valuable tips on buying a new or used vehicle contact the Office of Fair Trading to obtain a copy of The car buyers handbook. 

Ms Burney said consumers undergoing home building should be vigilant by asking for the tradesperson’s licence details and checking with Fair Trading to see whether it is valid for the type of work proposed before they sign a contract.

Checking if a builder is appropriately licensed is as easy as confirming their details at this website and following the prompts, or by calling 13 32 20.

Home building licence check
The car buyers handbook (PDF size: 391k)

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