Mr Christensen, who does not hold a QBCC licence, was convicted of multiple offences, including:
- undertaking unlawful building work at two properties
- demanding and receiving excess deposits
- misusing another licensee’s licence to falsely present himself as licensed.
The Court imposed the following penalties:
- a fine of $15,000
- compensation of $14,621 to the owner of a Frenchville property
- convictions recorded for all charges.
This is Mr Christensen’s second prosecution for similar offences. He was previously sentenced on 29 August 2023 in the same court, receiving fines totalling $14,000 for unlawful building work and demanding and receiving excess deposits.
QBCC CEO and Commissioner, Angelo Lambrinos, said the QBCC remained committed to a fair and transparent approach to compliance, but would not hesitate to take strong action when individuals repeatedly breached the law.
“We understand that education and early intervention are powerful tools in helping licensees meet their obligations,” Mr Lambrinos said.
“But when someone repeatedly chooses to operate outside the law, we have a responsibility to act – to protect home owners, uphold industry standards and support those doing the right thing.
“Through the QBCC’s Compliance and Enforcement Strategy, we prioritise education and early intervention for licensees, while taking firm action on repeat non-compliance to protect the industry’s reputation,” he said.
“While most licensees are doing the right thing – which is a strong reflection of the professionalism across the industry – even one case of non-compliance is one too many,” Mr Lambrinos added.
“This highlights the critical role our officers play in identifying and addressing non-compliance and ensuring building works are delivered to the highest standards.”
Home owners are reminded to:
- check the free online QBCC licensee register to confirm an individual is licensed, and review their compliance history
- understand allowable maximum deposits
- ensure a written, dated and signed contract is in place before work begins.
All this information and more is available on the QBCC’s Home Owner Hub – a free and practical online five-step guide to building and renovating.
“A thriving building and construction industry benefits all Queenslanders,” Mr Lambrinos said.
“It shapes the homes we live in, the communities we enjoy, and the economy we rely on. Our role as a regulator is essential to ensure people feel informed, enabled and protected.”
The QBCC is Queensland’s independent building and construction regulator, supporting more than 120,000 licensees across the state and safeguarding a $59 billion industry.
The Commission protects consumers, provides a safety net through the Queensland Home Warranty Scheme, and plays a vital role in informing and educating the sector.
