NSW Fair Trading warns consumers to avoid two unlicensed operators

 

An Australian state government department, NSW Fair Trading, is part of the Department of Customer Service. In New South Wales, the division's goal is to provide a fair, safe, and equal market environment. Investigates complaints of unfair business practices and regulates products supplied in New South Wales. The body follows the Fair-trading act 1987, which empowers them to protect the rights of consumers and advises traders and businesses to practice fair businesses. NSW office also has the privilege to enact rules and laws to maintain the sanctity of fair businesses between consumers and traders. NSW also offers licenses to the businesses, which ensures only qualified people can do business in the industry. Without the NSW, there will be no regulating authority; businesses and traders might indulge in unfair activity. In the absence of any competitors, the consumer has to bear the burnt. Therefore, the Fair-Trading Act is necessary, as it gives options to regulate the marketplace and prosecutes the non-compliant.

The last march, NSW Fair Trading has asked consumers not to engage with the unlicensed operators Tevita Tiliti Ungounga and Nillo Ashok Duggal for residential trades in Western Sydney.

As per authorities, Ungounga has never been a license-holding contractor. He continued in residential building work without the proper license, which allows him to do so. Earlier, he continued to operate under the name of TT Construction, which is an unregistered business name. Later, he changed it to T & T Sandstone Construction Pvt Ltd., which was removed from the register long ago. Mr. Ungounga has been warned two times through public warnings published in 2018 and 2020.

In October 2018, the Trading had issued a public warning after he was found guilty of doing residential work, i.e., building a new home at the cost of $350,000 despite not having proper authority to do so and was fined $56,000.

Despite receiving public warnings, Mr. Ungounga turned a deaf ear and continued the malpractices, which became the subject of complaints on his name.

Ms. Webb, chief of the NSW department, categorically explained that they are receiving various complaints of his name, including taking cash for building works and leaving it unfinished. The building works also appear to be unsafe, as Ms. Webb said. Therefore, the warnings should be taken seriously, especially residents of metropolitan Sydney and castle hill areas, where he is supposed to seek work.

Mr. Nillo Ashok Duggal also did not have NSW trading registration; still, he continued to do work under the name of 360-degree home building solutions Pvt Ltd. and putting advertisements on the internet.

Even though the company was removed from the register long ago, that did not stop Mr. Duggal from continuing illegal/unauthorized works. Several complaints were registered on him on behalf of consumers, stating that some of his work in structural landscaping appeared unsafe and unsatisfactory. NSW Fair Trading company launched an investigation after receiving complaints.

Mr. Duggal was also responsible under the home department act (1989) for unlicensed contracting and was fined $35,000. Despite the conviction, NSW continued to receive complaints in the name of Mr. Duggal.

Enforcement for the Better Regulation Division & Executive Director of Investigations Valerie Griswold said that consumers need to utilize the online tool for research purposes properly. As per her statement, consumers should do extensive research about the contractor before engaging with him. This process will help them to hire the right contractors who have appropriate licenses for carrying out the work.

She also suggested that consumers should restrain from handing over excessive deposits to the contractors. The Homebuilding act allows only 10% of the contract price to keep as deposits before meeting the trader and starting the work.

The organization suggested anyone facing issues with the dealings in New South Wales with Mr. Ungounga or Mr. Duggal, or know about their current operation, should contact NSW Fair Trading on 13 32 20 to lodge a complaint. Consumers are also urged to check the background of tradesperson along with their license correctly. To check the license validity, you can visit the official NSW Fair Trading website or call 13 32 20.

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