Home Building Advocacy Service
- What is this service?
The Home Building Advocacy Service (HOBAS) is for consumers who have building disputes. This service is available state wide to residents of NSW.
- What will this service provide?
The HOBAS will provide:
- Telephone legal advice
- Face to face appointments
- Mediation; and
- Representation in some cases
Telephone advice and initial interviews will be offered free of charge. Charges may apply for other services.
- When can I use this service?
In all cases, clients if eligible must have attempted to resolve their dispute through the Office of Fair Trading dispute resolution process.
For more information please contact the Office of Fair Trading on 133 220.
The only exception to this eligibility requirement is if you cannot use the Office of Fair Trading dispute resolution process because your dispute is with an unlicensed builder.
- Who do I contact to use the service?
The service will be located at Macquarie Legal Centre. Please go to the Contact Us page for further details.
- The home building dispute resolution process
The dispute resolution process is a 5 step process:
Step 1. Talk about the dispute with your contractor.
Step 2. Write a letter outlining any agreement made to correct the dispute
Step 3. Contact the Office of Fair Trading if the dispute is still unresloved
Step 4. A building inspector will inspect the issues and attempt to resolve them or may issue a Rectification Order if deemed necessary
Step 5. If you are not happy with the inspectors decision or a Rectification order is not complied with the next is to lodge a building claim with the Consumer, Trader & Tenancy Tribunal CTTT
For a more detailed list of this process please go to Click Here for further details.
Below for your convenience are a number of useful links.
- Licence Checks - To check the current status of a contractors licence go to OFT licence check - The Consumer building guide outlines all relevant information regarding a consumer rights in home building.
- OFT Building complaint form - CTTT home building dispute application form - Home warranty insurance information - Home building contract for work under $25,000 - Home building contract for work over $25,000
Disclaimer: Warning: The information contained on this site is general and is not intended to be advice on any matter. It is for information only and is not legal advice. You must not rely on the information contained in this site. if you have a legal problem you must talk with a solicitor. to the extent permissible by law, Macquarie Legal Centre disclaims all liability for anything contained on or accessed via this site and any use you make of it. The information presented is for the State of New South Wales and is only applicable for that State.
PHONE ADVICE Our phone advice sessions are: Call us between these times to get advice from our solicitors about your legal problem |
FACE TO FACE ADVICE Our solicitors also provide face to face advice on the areas of law that we cover. Face to face advice sessions are by appointment only. Both day and evening appointments are available. Call us on 8833 0911 or drop in at our office to book an appointment. |