Pull-down powers: Building watchdog David Chandler to target freestanding homes

The NSW Building Commissioner is set to be given new powers to inspect freestanding homes under construction — and to compel dodgy work to be fixed or pulled down.

The state’s building watchdog will be able to inspect any freestanding home under construction — and order defective work to be pulled down — under a dramatic expansion of powers and resources.

Prompted by evidence of defective and unsatisfactory building work in freestanding homes, the Minns government will introduce new laws this week to give NSW Building Commissioner David Chandler the power to audit any new housing construction.

Mr Chandler, who has focused on cleaning up the apartment sector, will also be given free rein to compel builders to fix up any defects he uncovers.

The increase in the commissioner’s powers forms part of a $24 million package of measures to be introduced into parliament, which will also include a bolstering of resources of the NSW Building Commission.

Other elements of the package include new measures to prevent and penalise intentional phoenixing activities in the construction industry by cancelling or refusing licenses and the introduction of new responsibilities across the building supply chain to ensure products used are safe, ­compliant and suitable for their intended use.

NSW Building Commissioner David Chandler with Fair Trading Minister Anoulack Chanthivong in the background. Picture: Picture: Monique Harmer

Mr Chandler, who asked for the additional powers, said it followed an inspection of more than 100 homes from Shellharbour to Coffs Harbour and out to Western Sydney, where defective works were uncovered in more than half.

With many of the builders constructing “class 1” single dwellings expected to move on to build “class 2” apartments as part of the turbocharging of supply, Mr Chandler said it was imperative the “dance steps” of noncomplying builders were not passed on.

As for the most common defects in housing, Mr Chandler listed insufficient mortar in building joints resulting in building wall ties not being properly embedded, moisture barriers being missing between the brick skin and inside framing, mortar not being cleaned out of brick cavities and dodgy roof plumbing.

Mr Chandler said many of the defects caused moisture issues and mould.

“The message we want to get across is it is better and cheaper to get it right than have me come along and order it to be pulled down – and I will order it to be pulled down,” he said.

The new laws come as the government continues its crackdown on dishonest or fraudulent elements in the building sector, with the licenses of four building certifiers cancelled so far this year.

The additional powers and resources come as the Minns government moves to significantly step up housing construction.

Premier Chris Minns said the new laws were designed to ensure quantity would not “get in the way of quality.”

Fair Trading Minister Anoulack Chanthivong said the new powers will help Mr Chandler continue his work in weeding out “untrustworthy players” in the market.

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Originally published as Pull-down powers: Building watchdog David Chandler to target freestanding homes