Fair Work ombudsman investigating troubled WA builder

One of WA’s highest profile property developers is under investigation.

The Fair Work ombudsman has launched an investigation into a troubled Perth building company.

The office of the ombudsman confirmed they are investigating Nicheliving Real Estate over worker pay and entitlements.

It comes as those who signed contracts with Nicheliving continue with a class-action lawsuit against the builder, some of whom have been waiting more than three years for their new home builds to be completed.

Nicheliving's website touts it as being "Western Australia’s largest affordable house and land developer, and a multi-award-winning builder." Picture: Nicheliving.

One such would-be homeowner is Richard Hamilton, who signed a contract with Nicheliving in 2020 over a property in the southern Perth suburb of Orelia.

Just over a month away from 2024, and his property stands half-completed.

“I’m in significant financial stress,” Mr Hamilton told Nine News.

Richard Hamilton signed contracts with Nicheliving in 2020; three years later, it's still being built. Picture: 9 News.

“I’ve been paying rent, mortgage … I certainly expected by 2022 I’d be in the house when obviously that hasn’t happened, they hadn’t even started work until the middle of 2022.

“I haven’t seen a builder here since last year.”

Community newspaper POST has spoken to 10 former Nicheliving workers, who claim they’re owed wages, superannuation, and commissions from as far back as 2021.

Richard has told Nine he's in "significant financial stress," having to pay rent and mortgage since signing the contracts. Picture: 9 News.

“I’ve been given various stories, but there’s nothing in my account,” one of the workers told the POST.

“There are hundreds of homes unfinished, and complaints from trades and suppliers.”

A statement from Nicheliving claims they’re not under investigation, and said Mr Hamilton’s project hadn’t progressed because “the customer was yet to make fit-out selections”.

Nicheliving’s website touts itself as being “Western Australia’s largest affordable house and land developer, and a multi-award-winning builder”.

Originally published as Fair Work ombudsman investigating troubled WA builder