Homespace Builds probed over allegedly unregistered work in Melbourne’s outer suburbs

Police and Victoria’s home building regulator have raided multiple properties linked to Homespace Builds after it allegedly carried out unregistered work across Melbourne’s outer suburbs.

Police and investigators from the state's home building and plumbing regulator have searched properties linked to Homespace Builds as part of a probe into the company’s registration. Picture: Supplied

Police and the state’s home building regulator have raided three properties linked to a company that allegedly carried out unregistered work across Melbourne’s outer suburbs.

Authorities launched action against Homespace Builds as part of a long-running probe into the use of registration credentials and certificates of insurance in Victoria.

Search warrants were executed for properties and vehicles at Aintree, Bacchus Marsh and Darley, in Melbourne’s west and outer northwest.

Homespace Builds is being investigated over a range of alleged offences, including unregistered work, entering into major domestic building contracts when not registered to do so, and making false and misleading statements.

It is understood the company denies any wrongdoing.

The Herald Sun approached the company and its directors for a response, but they declined to comment.

The Building and Plumbing Commission is warning consumers to check whether their builders are registered through the BPC website. Picture: Supplied

Homespace’s website uses the tagline “luxury build without the luxury price tag”, and a project manager that will “manage the entire construction process on your behalf”.

Its website also says it is a registered building practitioner, despite not being registered as a builder.

The Building and Plumbing Commission is warning consumers not to employ Homespace Builds Pty Ltd while the investigation continues, and to check whether their builders are registered through the BPC website.

The raids were related to a complex investigation by the BPC – formerly the Victorian Building Authority – that was triggered by last year’s suspension of builder Aycon Constructions and Building Services.

Aycon was fined a record $250,000 for breaches that included falsifying insurance policies, leaving clients with no protection despite construction starting.

The director of the company was suspended for three years.

Police and investigators from the state's home building and plumbing regulator have searched properties linked to Homespace Builds, as part of a long-running investigation into the company's registration. Picture: Supplied

The Herald Sun understands that intelligence from raids on Aycon identified Homespace as an alleged participant in paying for the use of another company’s registration.

Any breaches of home building laws would be referred to Consumer Affairs Victoria for action, ahead of those powers being transferred to the Building and Plumbing Commission next year.

The BPS recently underwent a rebrand following an overhaul of the regulator, which was aimed at strengthening legislation and putting consumers at the centre of its work.

The spotlight was shone on the sector following the collapse of Porter Davis Homes in 2023, which left 1700 unfinished building projects across the country, and many customers without insurance.

A string of smaller companies also went into liquidation after being unable to cope with rising costs, related to the Covid-19 pandemic.

New laws introduced following the Porter Davis crisis gave regulators more powers to

act if home builders were found to have done the wrong thing, and triggered a stronger audit of compliance.

Originally published as Homespace Builds probed over allegedly unregistered work in Melbourne’s outer suburbs