Christchurch man fined $1,275 for illegal plumbing

Media release

16 January 2014

Christchurch man fined $1,275 for illegal plumbing

In a recent judgment released today by the Plumbers, Gasfitters and Drainlayers Board, a Christchurch man has been convicted and fined $1,275 plus court costs and solicitor’s fees for illegally carrying out sanitary plumbing.

Glen Harley was charged following receipt of a complaint made by a Christchurch home owner about plumbing work Mr Harley carried out.

Mr Harley, who was project managing building work at the property, installed and connected a bathroom hand basin, toilet pan, kitchen sink with an insinkerator, and laundry tub as part of the renovation project.

Plumbing, gasfitting, and drainlaying are regulated trades in New Zealand, and it is illegal for anyone to do this work unless they are lawfully authorised. Mr Harley has never held an authorisation and was not authorised at the time he carried out the work.

Mr Harley carried out parts of the work incorrectly, resulting in leaking and water damage. The work was corrected shortly after by a registered plumber at the cost of the homeowner.

The role of the Board is to help keep consumers safe by ensuring that this work conducted across New Zealand is of a high quality.

Max Pedersen, Chief Executive of the Plumbers, Gasfitters, and Drainlayers Board, said: “There are serious health and safety risks associated with sanitary plumbing carried out by an unauthorised person. Any defective plumbing work has the potential to cause disease and serious damage to a property.

“All authorised tradespeople are required to carry their current authorisation card. We urge consumers to ask tradespeople for this card before any work commences so that they can be assured that the work is being done by an authorised and competent tradesperson.”

In January 2015, the Board stepped up its public awareness drive with a three month national digital marketing campaign, warning homeowners not to use unlicensed tradespeople for plumbing, gasfitting and drainlaying work over the summer break.

Homeowners should not risk their family’s health and safety or their insurance by hiring unauthorised tradespeople. Consumers should always ask to see an authorisation card before any work commences to be assured that the work is being done by a competent tradesperson.

You can check to see if a person is authorised by searching the online public register at www.pgdb.co.nz or phone us on 0800 743 262.

Mr Harley pleaded guilty to carrying out sanitary plumbing unlawfully in the Christchurch District Court on Thursday 15 January, and was fined $1,275 plus court costs of $130 and solicitor’s fees of $113.

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