A WA construction company has had its building registration revoked following years of delays and projects left sitting half-completed.
Nicheliving co-founder and managing director Ronnie Michel-Elhaj lost his building licence this week leaving more than 230 homes unfinished.
Affected customers were told they could claim up to $200,000 from insurance following the Building Commissioner’s decision but because Nicheliving intends to appeal the ruling, they face an even longer wait to recoup any cash.
Building Commissioner Saj Abdoolakhan said that he took action after information provided to the Building Services Board by Nicheliving left him ‘unsatisfied the company could pay its debts’.
One customer said when they tried to claim their insurance payment through the company they hit a brick wall.
‘They said they are looking at contacting QBE and telling them not to process any indemnity insurance claims,’ the customer told Nine News.
‘They’re going to be issuing an appeal to the state tribunal and asking for a stay on the decision as well.’
The young father’s home in the southern Perth suburb of Orelia has been sitting half-done for two years after work stalled and he added he was unable to even access his own building documents.
Nicheliving co-founder Ronnie Michel-Elhaj has had his building licence revoked
One of the construction sites which the owners said has been left sitting half-done for years
Nicheliving is the fifth WA builder to have its licence revoked in the last 18 months.
WA Premier Roger Cook blamed an ‘extreme period of imbalance after Covid’ for the chaos in the construction industry.
‘We are now getting through that period. This is another chapter as part of that process,’ he said.
WA Opposition leader Shane Love said: ‘Many people have put their lives on hold, and their letters to the State Government, the State Administrative Tribunal, and the Building Commission have not been met with the urgency or empathy needed.’
‘It’s clear the writing has been on the wall for Niche Living for many months, yet the state government has sat on their hands.’
WA Opposition leader Shane Love (centre) with some of Mr Michel-Elhaj’s affected customers
The deregistration of Niche Living is expected to cost the state government over $40million in payments.
Mr Love said that for some customers the $200,000 they are able to access will be insufficient to allow them to complete their builds and the government should work with them to find a solution.
Nicheliving has been involved in more then $500million worth of property deals in WA.
Mr Michel-Elhaj himself was previously recognised as one of WA’s top entrepreneurs at the 40under40 awards.
Daily Mail Australia has approached Nicheliving for comment.
