Statement on Elderton Homes

Following the first and second meeting of creditors, icare HBCF provides the following further statement to clarify its role in the voluntary administration of Elderton Homes.

On 14 December 2022 icare HBCF issued a Statement on Elderton Homes to policy holders impacted by the voluntary administration of Elderton Homes Pty Ltd, ACN 138 413 902 (Elderton).

Operation of the HBCF and your Policy

The Home Building Compensation Fund (HBCF) stands ready to support homeowners with HBCF policies where they suffer a loss in accordance with the terms of their policy.

However, before the HBCF can assist, certain steps need to have occurred. These are set out in your Policy wording and depend on your individual facts, circumstances and contractual arrangements.

Subject to the date of issue of your policy (noted on your Policy Certificate), you can find a link to your policy's relevant wording on our Making a claim webpage.

Under each policy, there are a number of matters that must be considered in order for any claim to be assessed and the correct Policy response determined by icare.

The following is intended to help homeowners understand their position and possible next steps and cannot replace the actual wording or effect of your relevant policy in your individual circumstances.

First, icare HBCF accepts that "insolvency" is defined so as to include external administration, such as in the case of Elderton at the present moment.

Secondly, the HBCF covers certain losses and damage where compensation cannot be recovered from the builder or where rectification by the builder is not possible due to certain circumstances – including the insolvency of the builder.

Sometimes, determining that loss can be difficult without a detailed analysis because it may depend on individual homeowner rights against the builder or the builder's status at the time.

For example, if a homeowner lodges a claim but icare HBCF determines that the builder may be ready, willing and able to complete the building work, icare HBCF may not necessarily find that there is a loss in relation to completion or rectification of building work (although it is possible that costs may be covered under the policy).

Any claims may be subject to limits, including depending on whether they are for defective or incomplete works and when they are notified and claimed.

Broadly, claims will be assessed by icare HBCF on a case-by-case basis.

Deed of Company Arrangement

A Deed of Company Arrangement (DOCA) to allow work to recommence on projects has been proposed, according to the Administrators, and is expected to be the subject of a vote by creditors at the adjourned second meeting in due course.

Each homeowner's circumstances will likely differ and each should seek their own independent advice on the effect of the DOCA if and when considered appropriate.

Homeowners should come to an informed position considering how any proposal would impact how their contracts are to be dealt with, any possible effect on their Policy entitlements, and their rights in relation to any incomplete works and/or breaches of statutory warranties.

icare HBCF cannot advise homeowners on the DOCA and cannot take any position in relation to it. icare HBCF does not intend to vote in any decision.

Questions and answers

On 31 January 2023, the Administrators sent the following issues it proposes to discuss with the proposed DOCA proponents to icare HBCF seeking comment. By way of reply and for the assistance of homeowners, icare HBCF's responses are included below:

a) How the HBCF policies will respond to claims for compensation made by clients on acceptance of any variations by the third-party builders?

The Policy wording will be applied to the particular factual circumstances of claims lodged by policy holders.

b) How the HBCF policies will respond to claims for compensation made by clients on the rejection of variations proposed by the third-party builder resulting in the engagement of an alternate builder who may charge more for completion than the variations proposed by third-party builder?

The response is the same as a), above. Unfortunately, icare cannot offer a definitive position, as to do so would be to suggest limiting or expanding a homeowner's rights. Those entitlements remain the same.

c) Whether there is a streamlined process for dealing with compensation claims to be brought by clients who accept the variations proposed by the third-party builder?

Any claims will be assessed as quickly as possible if homeowners provide all relevant information and documentation reasonably requested.

If the claims information includes variations from a builder the homeowner proposes to take over their contract, regardless of whether this is the third party builder participating in discussions with the administrator or otherwise, this may assist icare HBCF in assessing the claim promptly.

Insurance Guidelines issued by the State Insurance Regulatory Authority establish comprehensive requirements and timeframes for claims management. Within that framework, claims can still take quite some time to assess, determine, consult with owners and make any offers of settlement.

The legislation requires icare HBCF to determine the claim within 90 days or such other time as agreed between icare HBCF and homeowners. Sometimes, due to complexities in individual claims, icare HBCF will approach homeowners to seek consent to extend the time required for determination.

d) How icare HBCF intends to respond in cases where the Company ought to have taken out HBCF policies but failed to do so?

Where the policy had not been taken out for work under contract, these are not covered and the affected homeowner will need to raise this matter with SIRA and Fair Trading, as well as consider their rights as a creditor.

It is an offence under the Home Building Act 1989 to demand or receive a payment under a contract for residential building work or undertake residential building work under a building contract unless a contract of HBC insurance is in force in relation to that work.

e) Whether icare would care to address creditors of the Company directly, either in writing or at the next meeting of creditors, so as to provide some certainty and confidence around the process and the information against which they act to determine the future of the Company and completion of their projects.

To assist policy holders at this time, icare HBCF has provided the above responses addressing the questions and issues raised by Elderton's Administrators. We will continue discussions with the administrator and respond to inquiries from any affected homeowner.

Contracts not insured at the time of insolvency

On 13 January 2023, the Administrators asked the following three questions of icare HBCF concerning a number of particular properties where Elderton had submitted the application for HBCF insurances but had not paid the premium for an HBCF policy prior to entering into voluntary administration.

For the assistance of owners that may be affected by this, icare HBCF's responses to Elderton's Administrators on 24 January 2023 are included below:

1. "Are the policies effective for the customers to claim on?"

icare HBCF will honour the policies subject to the premium being paid.

2. "Will iCare issue certificates without payment of the premiums, noting that iCare is a creditor for these unpaid premiums?"

No, the certificates will not be issued until the premium is paid.

3. "If the policies are not effective, what steps are required retrospectively to make them so?"

As mentioned above, icare HBCF will honour the policies subject to the premium being paid. Otherwise, no cover can be provided.

icare HBCF must note these answers only reflect the position for a specific set of properties where the application had been submitted and the premium not yet paid.

For any other circumstance where the policy had not been taken out for work under contract, these would not be retrospectively covered and the affected homeowner would need to raise this matter with SIRA and Fair Trading, as well as considering their rights as a creditor.

Different outcomes of upcoming creditor meetings

Unfortunately, icare cannot give specific advice on the effect of different possible outcomes of creditor meetings because individual claim outcomes may ultimately depend on the specific detail of any process implemented (be it a DOCA or liquidation) and each Policy holder's individual circumstances.

icare can say that a liquidation will likely trigger the typical full claims process for icare HBCF. That process is quite detailed and involves many stages of assessment, consultation and determination before a settlement can be reached.

If a DOCA is approved at a creditors' meeting, which ultimately binds creditor/homeowner rights to the extent that they are unable to recover from the builder or have the builder do completion/rectification work, they may also be able to claim on the HBCF.

It is possible, however, that whatever arrangement is proposed under the DOCA could lead to faster completion/rectification of work for homeowners (although this will depend on the arrangement proposed and agreed).

If the policy holder enters into a new contract with a new builder to complete/rectify the work or if a new builder takes on building contracts pursuant to a DOCA, the new builder will need to obtain fresh HBCF cover for the remaining completion/rectification work.

If Elderton completes work under a DOCA, that work would still be covered under the existing HBCF policy in respect of that work.

Next steps

If you think you need to claim, you should complete the Claim Form for Homeowners to allow us to provide further assistance.

You can also find helpful general claim information on our website, including the following:

Claim submissions

Please send your claim submission to Gallagher Bassett Services Pty Ltd at builderswarrantyclaims@gbtpa.com.au or contact them on 02 9464 7270.

For any additional enquiries, please contact icare HBCF at enquiries.hbcf@icare.nsw.gov.au.

If you have concerns outside the scope of Home Building Compensation insurance, you may contact Fair Trading on 13 32 20.

 

Second Further Statement on Elderton Homes

Following the second meeting of creditors, icare HBCF received a number of queries and has provided responses here to assist HBCF policy holders.

  • On 14 December 2022, icare HBCF issued a Statement on Elderton Homes to policy holders impacted by the voluntary administration of Elderton Homes Pty Ltd, ACN 138 413 902 (Elderton). 
  • On 24 February 2023, icare HBCF issued a Further Statement on Elderton Homes, clarifying its role following the first and second meeting of creditors of Elderton and sharing questions raised by Elderton’s Administrators and icare HBCF’s answers.
  • On 28 February 2023, at the previously adjourned second meeting, the creditors voted in favour of a Deed of Company Arrangement (DOCA). 

Termination of contracts

The Administrators stated at the meeting on 28 February 2023 that, should the DOCA be approved, the Administrators’ intention was to terminate contracts with affected owners, to allow them to then contract with replacement builders for the completion of their projects.

icare HBCF understands that notices have been issued by the Administrators such that these contracts will be terminated with effect from 21 March 2023.  Owners should consider obtaining their own legal advice in relation to these notices and what impact it has on them.

Choice of builder and upfront costs

Following the termination of these contracts, it is a matter for each owner to make enquiries with and engage an appropriate alternative builder to complete their works. icare HBCF is aware that some builders may ask for an upfront fee to review each project. Some builders may absorb and incorporate this cost as part of completing the works. 

In either case, icare HBCF will assess all claims based on their individual circumstances and in accordance with the relevant Policy wording.  Owners do not have to choose a particular builder in order to lodge a claim on the fund.

Other ongoing costs

As reported by the Administrators on 28 February 2023, after termination of contracts, owners are responsible for securing and fencing their site until an alternative builder is engaged. For Policy holders, the costs of securing and fencing may be claimable (subject to the Policy wording) and, again, all claims will be assessed based on their individual circumstances.

Owners may also be required to obtain their own insurance in relation to their site, and owners should consider obtaining their own advice in that regard.

Valid policies only

The HBCF only covers Policy holders with valid Policies in place at the time Elderton was placed into voluntary administration, and where the premiums have been paid, as addressed in the previous statement, and always subject to the relevant Policy wording.  

Next steps

For Policy holders who lodge HBCF claims, Gallagher Bassett Services Pty Ltd will commence assessment of those claims and appoint a building consultant to inspect the relevant properties and prepare a scope of works.  Please note that this step will occur regardless of the alternative builder engaged to complete the works.

Those Policy holders should be expect to be contacted by Gallagher Bassett or the building consultant to make a time for inspection of their properties.

To lodge a claim, you should complete the Claim Form for Homeowners (PDF, 0.3MB) to allow us to provide further assistance.

You can also find helpful general claim information on our website, including the following:

Claim form submission

Please send completed Claim Forms to Gallagher Bassett Services Pty Ltd at builderswarrantyclaims@gbtpa.com.au or contact them on 02 9464 7270.

For any additional enquiries, please contact icare HBCF at enquiries.hbcf@icare.nsw.gov.au.

If you have concerns outside the scope of Home Building Compensation insurance, you may contact Fair Trading on 13 32 20.