Troubled Perth builder Nicheliving has launched a new property business under the name Australian Property Alliance (APA). The rebranding comes as Nicheliving fights to keep its building registration which was revoked by the Building Services Board in July due to financial concerns.
A stay order from the State Administrative Tribunal (SAT) has allowed Nicheliving to continue operating until November when a full review will be held. In the meantime the company has shifted most of its building and property work to APA. The new entity offers house and land developments, property management and finance advice but doesn’t mention Nicheliving or its directors Ronnie Michel-Elhaj and Paul Bitdorf on its website. However the Real Estate Institute of Western Australia confirms APA shares the same address and directors as Nicheliving.
Many customers are feeling uneasy. Janine Carter has been waiting almost 4 years for her home in Tapping, north of Perth. “I’m worried they’re moving assets into a different company to avoid responsibilities,” she said. “I don’t want to see anyone else in the same position we’re in.”
Ms Carter, a single mum, signed her contract in December 2020 with an expected completion date of July 2022. Extensions have pushed that back and her home is still unfinished. “We thought we had a light at the end of the tunnel and then it got taken away,” she said. “Can’t the government overturn SAT’s decision?”
To add to the company’s woes Worksafe has issued 9 improvement notices to Nicheliving for properties in Willetton for excessive rubbish, no security and inadequate fencing. Nicheliving has until Friday to fix these issues.
Financial troubles continue to mount with a credit report showing Nicheliving’s debts now include a tax debt of almost $3.8 million. APA also has a tax debt of $1.2 million. The company is being sued by unpaid contractors including a heritage assessment firm for $20,000 and a roofing company for $10,000.
Nicheliving has been underfire after reports that the developer left over 200 homes incomplete.
