Consumer Affairs Victoria starts legal action against Hans Richmond over conveyancing licence
Staff reporterOctober 14, 2019
Customer Affairs Victoria has started legal action against Hans Richmond, 69, of Officer.
Customer Affairs Victoria alleges Mr Richmond breached Victoria's conveyancing laws by:
- working as a conveyancer when he was not licensed, and
- leading four consumers to believe he was licensed or authorised to run a conveyancing business.
Customer Affairs Victoria alleges that Mr Richmond's offences took place between June 2016 and March 2018.
The Business Licensing Authority cancelled Mr Richmond's licence in 2013. This was after he was found guilty of a disqualifying offence.
The court action follows an earlier investigation, based on consumer complaints we received.
The penalties for unlicensed conveyancing include up to two years’ jail or a fine of more than $39,000.
The same consumers also allege Mr Richmond obtained more than $79,000 by deception from them. Customer Affairs Victoria referred these matters to Victoria Police, who are taking action against Mr Richmond in relation to them.
The Dandenong Magistrates' Court will hear both matters.
You can check a licensee’s current status on Public register of licensed conveyancers page.
