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Aucklander fined $2,300 for unauthorised plumber
Landlords are being reminded of the serious consequences they may face if they don’t use authorised tradespeople.
Last month, Auckland man Nicholas Xiao was fined $2,300 for illegally carrying out sanitary plumbing at a property in Mount Roskill, the Plumbers, Gasfitters and Drainlayers Board reports. He was also ordered to pay solicitor’s costs of $113.
In New Zealand, plumbing, gasfitting and drainlaying are regulated industries so it’s illegal for anyone to do this work unless they are authorised to do so by the Plumbers, Gasfitters and Drainlayers Board. Authorised tradespeople are also required to carry their current authorisation card, which is issued by the Board.
Helen Hodgson, Rental Operations Manager for Barfoot & Thompson, says this case highlights the serious consequences of using an unauthorised tradesman to carry out plumbing, gasfitting or drainlaying repairs and maintenance.
“It’s a timely reminder for all home owners to ensure that their tradesperson is authorised to carry out the work they are employed to do. The same issues relate to using an unauthorised electrician."
How to check for an authorised plumber, gasfitter or drainlayer
- Contact the Plumbers, Gasfitters and Drainlayers Board to check that the tradesperson is authorised – you can do a search on their public register
- Ask the tradesperson to show their authorisation card before they start work
- Check the expiry date on the authorisation card to make sure it is current
- Homeowners and building inspectors can also make a complaint to the Board, if they believe work has been done by someone who is not authorised.
Max Pedersen, Chief Executive of the Plumbers, Gasfitters and Drainlayers Board, says “There are serious health and safety risks associated with sanitary plumbing carried out by an unauthorised person. Any defective plumbing work has the potential to cause disease and serious damage to the home.”