Licensed Building Practitioner’s licence cancelled

3 October 2018

Fraudulent behaviour has Licensed Building Practitioner’s licence cancelled

The Building Practitioners Board (the Board) has cancelled a Licensed Building Practitioner’s (LBP) design licence for fraudulent behaviour, and ordered him to pay costs toward the inquiry.

The Board initiated an inquiry into Guangyou Feng, an Auckland-based LBP, when it became aware he had been found guilty in the Auckland District Court for five charges of forgery.

At a Board hearing, Mr Feng was found to have been: convicted by the court of an offence punishable by imprisonment for six months or more, which reflects adversely on his fitness to carry out design work; and to have acted in a manner that would bring the LBP regime into disrepute.

LBP Registrar Paul Hobbs says, “Mr Feng forged a Producer Statement which consumers and councils rely on to provide assurance that building designs meet Building Code compliance.”

The statement was signed by an engineer and fraudulently altered by Mr Feng to produce copies for other building consent applications.

“These forged documents could have had serious, detrimental effects on New Zealander’s health and safety. We have not taken his offences lightly, and in turn, Mr Feng will not be able to practice as an LBP,” says Mr Hobbs.

Producer Statements also relate to professional indemnity insurance cover. By forging these Mr Feng was jeopardising potential insurance cover and compliance assurance for consumers and councils.

“The bottom line is that Mr Feng’s misconduct has brought the LBP scheme into disrepute. Fraudulent behaviour in any shape or form will not be tolerated, which is why Mr Feng is no longer an LBP.

“New Zealanders can have confidence that when the Board is made aware of LBPs who are breaching the law, and not upholding the responsibility that comes with being an LBP to the public, we will ensure they are disciplined,” says Mr Hobbs.

A guide to making a complaint about a Licensed Building Practitioner is available on the LBP website.

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