Energy Safe Victoria (ESV) has prosecuted a landlord who tampered with a gas meter as part of a tenancy dispute.
Paul Gray, 47, was convicted, fined $3,000 and ordered to pay $1,500 in costs after being found guilty in the Melbourne Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday, 24 August, 2021.
“Mr Gray’s behaviour was abhorrent and completely unacceptable, dangerously putting lives at risk through the tampering of a gas meter and subsequent gas leak,” said Marnie Williams, ESV Commissioner and Chairperson. “Energy Safe Victoria is committed to punishing anyone who thinks they can get away with this kind of behaviour.”
Mr Gray rented a Cremorne house to a friend in August 2018. However, after the friendship broke down in July 2019, the tenant was asked to vacate. The tenant insisted the matter be resolved by the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal (VCAT).
On 26 August, the tenant noticed the property had no hot water and subsequently found the gas meter had been removed.
He consequently applied for and received a VCAT restraining order against Mr Gray and demanded the gas meter be re-installed, which it was.
On 25 September, the tenant was concerned the property was leaking gas, which was confirmed by his gas supplier who found a leak in a joint on the outlet side of the meter. This was consequently repaired.
And on 15 October, the tenant was left without hot water before discovering a section of pipe had been removed from the outlet of the meter.
As a result, Mr Gray, whose builder registration has lapsed, was convicted on two charges of tampering with a gas meter assembly.
He was also charged with two counts of carrying out plumbing work without a registration or license and a further three charges of carrying out upstream gas work.
For more information visit esv.vic.gov.au
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