Toowoomba homeowners refunded $70,000 by Queensland Building and Construction Commission after collapse of Privium Homes

The liquidation of a major residential construction company has left hundreds of homeowners on the hook for millions. Now the building watchdog has refunded money to some city residents.

Privium Homes has been placed into liquidation. Pics Adam Head

Several potential homeowners in the Toowoomba region have had 10s of thousands in deposits refunded by the state’s construction watchdog following the collapse of contractor Privium.

The Queensland Building and Construction Commission has reportedly refunded nearly $70,000 in deposits to Privium customers across the region under the Queensland Home Warranty Scheme.

Hundreds of homes remain unbuilt or unfinished after the Brisbane-based construction company went into liquidation in December.

A QBCC spokesman said more than 120 homeowners across Queensland, including five in the Toowoomba region, had received a total of $1.5m in refunds.

“In the event of a builder insolvency, the Queensland Home Warranty Scheme may provide cover for homeowners left with incomplete building work,” the spokesman said.

“The scheme covers residential construction work worth more than $3300.

“So far, the QBCC has finalised and approved five QHWS refund of deposit claims from Privium customers in the Toowoomba region, worth almost $70,000 in total.

“The QBCC continues to assess a number of other claims from Privium customers.”

QBCC commissioner Richard Cassidy said Privium customers should get in contact to secure refunds within the next two weeks.

“Customers can face many challenges when a construction company collapses and there are contracts and incomplete projects they need to navigate,” he said.

“We want to make this process as smooth as we can, but we have strict legislative requirements and time frames that we must operate within.

“Homeowners who have a contract with Privium and have paid a deposit may be entitled to a claim even if Privium failed to pay relevant QBCC insurance premiums.

“This is one of the reasons the Queensland Home Warranty Scheme is in place, to protect homeowners when something like this happens.”

Mr Cassidy said since December the QBCC had phoned more than 450 impacted customers and emailed almost 800 policy holders to let them know their options.

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