An unlicensed Coffs Harbour trader has been ordered to pay nearly $16,000 in fines and court costs for unlicensed contracting and misrepresentation.

Fair Trading Minister Virginia Judge said Andrew Raymond Morris pleaded guilty in Coffs Harbour Local Court last week to five breaches of the Home Building Act 1989.

“The Court’s decision sends a strong message to other unlicensed traders that Fair Trading is working hard to clean up the industry,” Ms Judge said.

“Mr Morris placed advertisements in local papers in the region quoting a false licence number.

“He then contracted and carried out work without a valid licence, knowing full well he was breaking the law.

“Fair Trading became aware of Mr Morris’ activities after receiving eight complaints from consumers.”

Mr Morris was convicted for breaching the following sections of the Home Building Act:

• Section 4(1)(A) Unlicensed contracting (two breaches),
• Section 17 (1) Misrepresentations about contractor licenses (two breaches) and
• Section 12 Unlicensed work (one breach).

Ms Judge said no one should contract with a trader without checking their licence details first.

“The answer is just a mouse click or phone call away,” she said.

“NSW Fair Trading has recently introduced a new and improved online licence check facility to make it easier and faster to check trader’s details.

“Consumers can quickly verify if a builder or tradesperson holds a valid and current licence and whether they have had any disciplinary actions or prosecutions against them.

“Any person who carries out residential building work worth more than $1,000 in labour and materials must have a licence.

“Traders caught operating without a licence or contracting with an unlicensed person can incur fines of up to $22,000 for an individual or up to $110,000 for a company.”

Back to Media releases