Following a spate of serious complaints against building company Atomic 6 and its Director Andrew Lennox, Atomic 6’s contract license has been immediately cancelled.
NSW Fair Trading Minister, Eleni Petinos has issued a media release warning residents across NSW not to deal with this company or Mr Lennox under any circumstance.
The license cancellation means that Atomic 6 cannot advertise, contract for, or conduct any residential building work for which a license is required in NSW
A media release by Minister for Fair Trading, Minister for Small Business stated:
The NSW Government is urging flood-affected residents to only engage licensed contractors, as the clean-up and rebuild phase continues across the Northern Rivers region.
The warning follows a spate of serious complaints against building company Atomic 6 and its Director Andrew Lennox, who left homeowners ripped off by dodgy or incomplete work after the devastating Black Summer bushfires.
NSW Fair Trading Minister Eleni Petinos confirmed that Atomic 6’s contract license has been immediately cancelled.
“I can confirm that Atomic 6 has had its license cancelled and I’m issuing a warning to residents across the state not to deal with this company or Mr Lennox under any circumstance,” Ms Petinos said.
Atomic 6 has been the subject of serious complaints about defective, incomplete and poor building work conducted without NSW Home Building Compensation Fund insurance.
The license cancellation means that Atomic 6 cannot advertise, contract for, or conduct any residential building work for which a license is required in NSW.
Ms Petinos said an investigation launched by NSW Fair Trading had identified numerous consumers on the South Coast who had made payments to Atomic 6 for contracted work that had not been completed, had been sub-standard or non-compliant.
“In one case the construction was so poor that the local council issued a demolition order on the dwelling,” Ms Petinos said.
“Another case saw a couple pay Atomic 6 a deposit plus additional payments over a 10-month period only to have minimal works carried out.
“Instead of doing what he was paid to do and build peoples’ homes, there is evidence that Mr Lennox was using money paid by customers for personal expenses.”
NSW Fair Trading reminds consumers to always check that a contractor is licensed to carry out work they’re paid to do. They can do this at www.onegov.nsw.gov.au/publicregister/#/publicregister/categorieslaunch.
NSW Fair Trading is working closely with Resilience NSW to support consumers affected by Atomic 6.
Anyone with complaints about Atomic 6 is encouraged to contact NSW Fair Trading on 13 32 20 or online at www.fairtrading.nsw.gov.au/help-centre/online-tools/make-a-complaintla
In response to the above Atomic 6 have released this statement: In response to the over-stated and very disappointing nature of the claims released by the media department of Fair Trade NSW, we continue to work with home owners to resolve any outstanding matters. Atomic 6 are manufactures using a Section 68 method of construction which is lawful and something we have been doing from the beginning of our time in NSW. The license they mention is for non-factory builds which is not our market. This is factual, and confirmed by the legal department of the MBA-NSW. This was clearly illustrated to Fair Trade, however the recent release fails to clarify this, nor explains that this is the only method that we build. Section 68 manufactured homes are only related to NSW, this has nothing to do with other states. We are not taking on new residential work in any state of Australia, not just NSW. Out of respect to our clients, 3 weeks ago we offered everyone the choice to continue, or to have full refunds. We are committed to supporting those who want help, happy to release those who do not or who are concerned, but it is their choose and we are respectful of this. The claim of demolition orders and that inclusion speaks to the misguided nature of the release. To this date, Atomic 6 has not been informed of any such order. If there is, we will rectify what ever needs to be addressed. Bega council have confirmed this allegation is false. Our clients have direct access to Atomic 6, they have our support and understanding where ever this may lead. No client will be left without either new homes or a financial refund if this is their preference. source: https://www.atomic6.com.au/pricing
