Fair Trading Minister Virginia Judge today issued a statewide warning to storm and flood victims to avoid unlicensed traders when carrying out repair work on their property.

Ms Judge said storms and flash flooding were currently affecting residents in Ballina, Lennox Heads and the Northern Rivers area.

“Bega, Bombala and the Illawarra residents have also been affected in the past week and as storms and heavy rainfall continue all NSW residents should remember to protect themselves from unscrupulous traders,” she said.

“Unlicensed traders often target storm affected areas hoping to make a quick buck from vulnerable residents.

“They peddle services door-to-door offering cheap prices for cash jobs and only stick around long enough to be paid.

“More often than not, the work is substandard and people are left out of pocket.

“These individuals are not concerned about consumer rights or the law; instead they prey on people’s need to fix problems quickly.”

Ms Judge said Fair Trading staff can help residents by:

• providing information on how to choose suitable trades people to carry out repairs
• checking that workers are properly licensed and insured
• advising people in rented accommodation and their landlords about their rights and obligations
• providing access to debt counseling for people experiencing financial difficulties.

“I urge storm victims not to deal with the unlicensed and uninsured,” she said.

“Residents should be wary of those who only provide first names and mobile phone numbers. It can be impossible to contact them when problems arise.

“It is always best to choose an established, licensed trader who is more likely to be around in the future if you need them to come back and rectify any problems.

“Builders caught operating without the appropriate licence can face fines of up to $22,000.”

Ms Judge said consumers can check if a trader is licensed by contacting Fair Trading on 13 32 20 or by visiting the Fair Trading website.

“Storm damage can also be a major issue for landlords, tenants and real estate agents,” she said.

“Before carrying out any urgent repairs, tenants should always check first with their landlord or agent and refer to the tenancy agreement.”

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