Hefty fines for illegal sleepouts

The owners of three South Auckland properties have been fined $33,000 for building illegal sleepouts, the Manukau City Council says.

Last month, Gawalior Ltd, Tony van Leeuwen, Telesia Behgal, Nick Franklin Construction and Nicolas Franklin were convicted in Manukau District Court for their part in illegal works on the Mangere properties.

At the properties, owned by Gawalior, building work was done to convert existing garages into sleep-outs.

The defendants did not obtain building consents, an offence under the Building Act 2004.

Gawalior was fined $18,500, van Leeuwen $6000, Behgal $4000, Nick Franklin Construction $3150 and Franklin $1350.

The Manukau City Council's group manager of environment operations, Carole Todd, said the council was pleased the court considered the intent behind the illegal building work, which was to improve the value of the properties for sale.

She said the prosecution should act as a warning to homeowners, developers and builders.

- NZPA