The QBCC has cancelled Porter Davis Qld licence making it easier for claims to be lodged

QBCC has cancelled Porter Davis Qld licence, making it easier for customers to lodge claims through the home warranty scheme which has so far seen $356,000 returned.

The state building regulator has cancelled the licence of collapsed residential construction giant Porter Davis Homes in Queensland, making it easier for customers to lodge claims and seek assistance through the home warranty scheme.

QBCC commissioner Anissa Levy said the cancellation of PDH Qld licence will help eligible owners get back on track to finish their homes, get defective work fixed, or their deposits refunded through the Queensland Home Warranty Scheme.

“The move makes it easier for customers to claim under the QHWS as they don’t need to terminate their contract to make a claim and can simply lodge all supporting documents online through the QBCC website,” she said.

The Melbourne-based builder – which was the 12th largest in Australia – collapsed at the end of March leaving 1500 unfinished homes in Victoria and 200 in Queensland.

The builder had a further 779 clients who had paid deposits, but where work had not started on their projects when liquidator Grant Thornton was appointed.

Major home builder Porter Davis when bust in March leaving 200 homes unfinished in Queensland.

Since the Queensland arm of PDH Group went into liquidation on March 31, 2023 the

QBCC has received 190 claims – 60 of those are refund of deposit and 130 are non-completion claims. The QBCC has so far put $356,000 back into the pockets of customers impacted by the collapse.

Affected consumers have until August 2, 2023 to lodge a claim for refund of deposit or for completion of their home. Non-completion claims lodged after this date will not be eligible for assistance.

Ms Levy said the cancellation meant all contracts currently on foot will be considered “at an end”.

“This is good news for customers, as it enables them to engage in the insurance process more easily and quickly. We want to make this process as smooth as we can, working within the strict legislative requirements and time frames that we must operate within,” she said.

“Homeowners who have a contract with Porter Davis Homes, who have paid a deposit may still be entitled to a claim even if Porter Davis Homes failed to pay the QBCC insurance premiums.”

Ms Levy said for customers who have paid a deposit and work has not commenced they may be entitled to a refund of their deposit. For those where work has commenced, they may be entitled to a non-completion claim.

“This is one of the reasons the QHWS is in place, to protect homeowners when something like this happens,” she said.