Regulator had over 1,000 pages of complaint data against GJ Gardner Homes Hobart franchisee, but company could still sign up customersRegulator had over 1,000 pages of complaint data against GJ Gardner Homes Hobart franchisee, but company could still sign up customersA liquidator says there's preliminary evidence that a GJ Gardner Homes franchisee was trading while insolvent for four years.
The home owner texted the problem to GJ Gardner Hobart, later saying: "I did not even do a number 2 in this one so we can't blame that..."This is just one out of 19 house builds by GJ Gardner Hobart that CBOS was aware of that had increasingly poor works and long, unexplained delays., the same day its director, Ludek Valta, was emailed questions by the ABC about a long list of angry customers and contractors.
"CBOS can investigate complaints of work that is non-compliant, but that does not trigger a remedy to the consumers," they told one home owner. He's managed to achieve an occupancy permit since then, but believed both CBOS and GJ Gardner Homes national should have done more.The collapse of GJ Gardner Hobart was not the end of the problems for some of its customers.About 30 houses were still being constructed, including for the Ekundayo family, who had earlier had their retaining wall collapse, along with extensive delays and cost blowouts.
The ABC asked CBOS why it did not use its powers to place conditions on Mr Valta's builder licence sooner to prevent new contracts being signed, when it had substantial evidence of substandard works.