The passing of the Building Legislation Amendment (Domestic Building Insurance New Offences) Act 2024 (Vic) (the Amendment) has introduced new penalties for Builders who fail to obtain Domestic Builder Insurance (DBI), hence, strengthening consumer protection in the construction industry. The changes are relevant for any Builder engaged in a major domestic building contract.
Read MoreThe recent High Court decision in Mann v Paterson Constructions Pty Ltd [2019] HCA 32 highlights the importance of complying with section 38 of Domestic Building Contracts Act 1995 (Vic) (Act) in order to recover payment for a variation to the works. In March 2014, Mr and Mrs Mann (the Owners) entered into a Master Builders Association Form HC-6 (Edition 1-2007) major domestic building contract with Paterson Constructions Pty Ltd (the Builder).
Read MoreThe State Taxation Acts Amendment Act 2019 which was recently enacted has resulted in significant changes to the “economic entitlement” provisions of the Duties Act 2000. Under the changes, a residential developer will be deemed to have acquired an ‘economic entitlement’ to any income, rent or profits generated from the land and will be subject to a duty as if they had acquired a beneficial ownership interest in the land.
Read MoreIf you are planning to carry out building work on your property, you may be required to carry out protection work to adjoining properties to ensure that they are not affected or damaged by your proposed building work.
Read MoreThe tragic building fires in the Lacrosse Building of Melbourne in 2014, the Marina Torch Tower of Dubai in 2015 and the Greenfell Tower of London in 2017 have sparked international safety concerns regarding the use of combustible cladding in construction of buildings, homes and places of public assembly.
Read MoreThe Building and Construction Industry Security of Payment Act has been operating in Victoria since 2002. Other states and territories have also enacted their own security of payment legislation such as New South Wales which has had its own security of payment regime in place since 1999.
Read MoreEarlier this year an independent government agency called Domestic Building Dispute Resolution Victoria (DBDRV) was set up to help parties resolve domestic building disputes.
Read MoreContractors often experience significant delays in receiving payment during the course of a construction project or do not receive payment at all.
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