The Building Services Board has fined a building surveyor $1,000 for misleading the Shire of Toodyay by knowingly signing a certificate with the wrong building classification.

Daniel Ross Smee (BSP293) provided a certificate of building compliance (CBC) in March 2019 for additions and alterations to a Julimar property, including a bedroom, games room and sunroom.

The Board was told that Mr Smee’s CBC listed the sunroom as a class 1a building, meaning it was suitable to use as a habitable room.

However, an investigation by Building and Energy revealed that the room was a class 10a non-habitable structure. It did not comply with class 1a requirements due to features such as flywire enclosures on the walls, a paved floor without dampness protection and non-compliance with energy efficiency requirements.

When questioned by Building and Energy, Mr Smee said he was aware that the building work was misclassified in the CBC.

The Board found that Mr Smee had engaged in misleading conduct while carrying out a building service.

Building and Energy Executive Director Saj Abdoolakhan said certification of planning and building compliance documents must be valid, lawful and correct.

“Misleading conduct by a registered building surveyor is unacceptable,” he said.

“Building surveyors play a critical role in the building approval process. It is imperative they work with diligence and integrity at all times to uphold this important function.”

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Media contact: BEmedia@dmirs.wa.gov.au

Note: BSP refers to registration as a building surveying practitioner. The register is available at www.commerce.wa.gov.au/building-and-energy/find-registered-building-surveyor