Melbourne Football Club star Jake Melksham seeks more than $300,000 damages over building dispute
MELBOURNE Demons player Jake Melksham may be having one of his best seasons yet, but the gritty forward is facing an off-field battle as he feuds with a builder over a property he owns in Essendon.
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MELBOURNE Football Club player Jake Melksham may be having one of his best seasons yet, but the gritty forward is facing a battle off the field.
Melksham, 26, is seeking damages of more than $300,000 over a dispute involving an Essendon property he owns.
In documents lodged with the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal, Melksham has alleged that poor workmanship led to several defects in construction of the two-storey home.
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“The nature and extent of the defects in the design and installation of the roof have caused water entry and rectification requires redesign and reinstallation of the roof and roofing elements,” said his statement of claim.
A plumbing report prepared for the Demon goalsneak found various issues including incorrect installation of the solar hot water system and dishwasher, no overflow relief gully installed for the sewer and toilet pans not fixed to the floor.
“The installation of the roof to this dwelling would suggest that it was installed by a person that had little experience with complex roofing systems,” said one report.
Melksham is suing builder Double M Constructions for damages of $275,609 to rectify the alleged problems with the dwelling.
A further $30,100 in damages has been sought for rectification of the sewer shaft stormwater system and proper installation of the appliance.
Double M said in documents that should VCAT find it was in breach of the building contract due to defective plumbing work or the failure of the building surveyor to properly inspect the works, then those parties “would be liable to pay damages to the builder”.
Nix Plumbing and building surveyor Angelo Siciliano were joined as parties to the case.
Mr Siciliano filed a nine-page defence disputing many of the allegations made in the claim against the joined parties.
The Herald Sun attempted to contact Melksham through his manager.
Melksham, a former Essendon player, has kicked 18 goals for Melbourne this season and played his 150th AFL game on the weekend.
The case is due to be heard in February 2019.