A Kellyville builder has been fined almost $12,000 for making false and misleading statements relating to a building corporation licence.

John Mamdouh Hanna, also known as John MHanna, was convicted in Parramatta Local Court last month of four counts of breaching section 307A of the Crimes Act 1900.

Fair Trading Minister Virginia Judge welcomed the Court’s decision.

“Consumer protection is a number one priority for the Keneally Government,” Ms Judge said.

“Consumers have a right to expect traders to be honest about their history and licence status.”

The Court found that Mr Hanna had failed to:

• disclose that previous action had been taken against him over his performance as a builder and company director
• failed to reveal that his individual contractor’s licence had been cancelled for a period of five years from 1995 to 2000 and
• failed to reveal he had not been a director of a company that had been placed in receivership, administration or liquidation.

Ms Judge said Mr Hanna was also previously ordered to pay $117,000 for carrying out defective home building work at Kenthurst in 1997.

“Mr Hanna was ordered to pay the money, but was declared bankrupt in 1997 and it was never paid,” she said.

Ms Judge said consumers should always check a trader’s licence before allowing them to carry out construction work.

“The process only takes a few minutes, but it could save you a lot of money and heartache in the long run,” Ms Judge said.

“The online licence register will tell you if the trader is currently licensed.

“It will also reveal if there have been any disciplinary determinations and prosecutions against a person, partnership or company.”

More information on home building licensing is at this website.

Back to Media releases