A Duncraig-based pest control company and its director have been fined a total of $3,000 at Perth Magistrates Court for not providing officially requested information about a termite treatment.
Mantis Pest Control and its sole director and secretary, Jefferson Ashley Hetherington, did not attend court on 14 September 2018 when they were found guilty of failing to comply with a written direction from an authorised person under the Building Services (Complaint Resolution and Administration) Act 2011.
The Magistrate imposed a fine of $2,000 against the company, a fine of $1,000 against Mr Hetherington and shared court costs of $724.
The penalty relates to a formal request by an investigator from Building and Energy (formerly the Building Commission) for information about a termite treatment at a property in Clarkson.
The home owner had also unsuccessfully sought documentation about the work from Mantis Pest Control and the builder.
An official direction to provide the information was posted, emailed and personally served to Mr Hetherington, but no response was received by the due date.
Building Commissioner Ken Bowron welcomed the court’s findings.
“Failure to comply with a direction such as this, without reasonable excuse, is not only against the law – it also shows disregard for clients and the vast majority of building service providers who are diligent and do the right thing,” he said.
“We will continue to hold to account and name those who put the public interest and integrity of the building industry at risk.”
For more information, visit the Building and Energy website or contact 1300 489 099.
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Media contact: 0466 409 828 or bemedia@demirs.wa.gov.au
