An Auckland builder has been fined $8000 after carrying out foundation work without a licence and using another practitioner's credentials without their knowledge.
Angelo Madut was sentenced in the Manukau District Court after a prosecution brought by the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE).
Judge Forrest found Madut guilty of carrying out restricted building work while unlicensed and unsupervised, and of knowingly making a false or misleading statement under the Building Act 2004.
Madut had been working on foundation construction at an Auckland residential development before he obtained a Licensed Building Practitioner (LBP) licence. Foundation work is classified as restricted building work and must be carried out or supervised by a licensed practitioner.
During a building inspection, Madut told an inspector another licensed practitioner had supervised the work and provided a copy of that person's licence. MBIE's investigation found the practitioner had no involvement in the project and had not authorised the use of their licence.
MBIE acting national manager of occupational regulation Bevan Yee said restricted building work must be carried out or supervised by licensed practitioners.
"It is an offence to use another practitioner's licence without their consent," he said.
"Licensed Building Practitioners and the LBP scheme play an important role in giving homeowners and councils confidence that restricted building work is being carried out by appropriately qualified people."
Under the Building Act 2004, carrying out restricted building work without the appropriate licence or supervision can result in fines of up to $50,000.
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