Geraldton man Anthony BLAND has been found guilty of undertaking unregistered commercial painting work.

He was fined $300 and ordered to pay costs of $125 in the Geraldton Magistrates Court over a job quoted at $6,500 at a property in Brede Street Geraldton.

At the time of the offence, undertaking paid painting work valued at over $200 required a painter to be registered.

Mr Bland held a painters registration until 2007 when it was suspended and later cancelled in 2008 by the (then) Painters registration Board (PRB).

“This matter relates to a prosecution of the former PRB and dates back to April in 2011. As such it is subject to laws under the Painters Registration Act 1961,” Building Commissioner Peter Gow said.

This Act has since been replaced by the Government’s new package of building legislation.

The new Building Services (Registration) Act 2011 carries a maximum penalty of $25,000 for claiming to be a registered building service provider, or for carrying out a regulated building service when not registered.

“The new laws significantly increase penalties and strengthen protection for industry and consumers.

“It is not worth the risk to your property by engaging unregistered painters, so if a contractor cannot show you their registration, then show them the door,” Mr Gow said.

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