The owners of three south Auckland properties have been fined $33,000 for building illegal sleepouts, the Manukau City Council says.
Last month Gawalior Limited, Tony van Leeuwen, Telesia Behgal, Nick Franklin Construction Ltd and Nicolas Franklin were convicted in Manukau District Court for their roles in illegal building works on the Mangere properties.
At the properties, owned by Gawalior Ltd, building works were carried out with the intention of converting existing garages into sleep-outs.
The defendants did not obtain building consents, an offence under the Building Act 2004.
Gawalior Ltd was fined $18,500 plus costs, Leeuwen $6000 plus costs, Behgal $4000 plus costs, Nick Franklin Construction Ltd $3150 plus costs and Franklin $1350 plus costs.
Manukau City Council group manager of environment operations Carole Todd said the council was pleased Judge Gus Andree Wiltens considered the intent behind the illegal building works, which was to quickly improve the value of the properties to sell on.
"In particular, one of the properties was sold to unsuspecting buyers who were incorrectly advised that the sleep-out on the property was permitted.
"This is one reason for stamping out illegal building works, to protect unsuspecting buyers from these kinds of risky situations."
Ms Todd said the prosecution should act as a warning to homeowners, developers, and builders.
"Get the proper consents before you start any building project," Ms Todd said.
