A contractor has been fined $5000 after applying for a building permit using a home indemnity insurance certificate issued for a different property.

Perth-based Coastal Design & Construction was found to have engaged in misleading conduct when providing the false certificate to the City of Stirling in April last year.

The permit application was for alterations to a home in Inglewood, but the accompanying insurance certificate had been issued about five months earlier for a different address.  

“This conduct undermines the protections provided by WA’s home building contract laws and the overall integrity of the building approvals process,” state Building and Energy department executive director Daniel Kearney said. “Had the false certificate not been identified by the City of Stirling, the permit may have been issued without valid insurance, putting the homeowners at risk of financial loss.”  

Home indemnity insurance is compulsory for residential building work in WA valued at more than $20,000. It protects owners if a builder cannot complete or rectify work because of death, disappearance, insolvency or loss of registration on financial grounds.

Coastal Design & Construction obtained a valid policy for the Inglewood site in June last year and the building permit was approved.

Homeowners can search QBE’s builders’ warranty insurance certificate register.