New rules which became effective on 1 December 2020 require building surveyors to check whether the name of a builder and any partnership they are involved with match the corresponding names on the relevant major domestic building contract and certificate of insurance

Where the cost of building work being carried out under a major domestic building contract by a member of a partnership is over $16,000, the name of the builder and the partnership on the contract must match the name of the builder and the partnership on the certificate of insurance.

Where the builder is not a member of a partnership, the building surveyor must be satisfied that the name of the builder in the major domestic building contract is identical to the name of the builder in the certificate of insurance.

If names do not correlate then building surveyors cannot issue a building permit to that builder.

 

The changes to Section 24A of the Building Act are as follows:

The relevant building surveyor must not issue a building permit in relation to building work unless the relevant building surveyor is satisfied that… in the case of building work carried out under a major domestic building contract-

      1. if the cost of the building work exceeds the prescribed amount-
        1. if the builder is not a member of a partnership, the name of the person who is named as the builder in the contract is identical to the name of the person specified as the builder in a certificate of insurance; or
        2. if the builder is a member of a partnership, the name of the builder and the name of the partnership specified in the contract is identical to the name of the builder and the name of the partnership specified in a certificate of insurance…