Plumbing authorities say a prosecution for unauthorised work in Hawke's Bay highlights the need for property owners to make sure work on their homes is legal.
The warning follows a decision in the Hastings District Court in which Hastings man Paul Shannon was fined $2500 and ordered to pay $130 court costs for doing or assisting in restricted plumbing work without authorisation.
Shannon, an employee, did not hold any registration and pleaded guilty to a charge laid by the Plumbers, Gasfitters and Drainlayers Board.
A summary said Shannon went to a Hastings address between September 4 and October 31 last year and carried out work including disconnecting a bath, shower, vanity unit, laundry tub, taps, water pipes and waste connections, and connected mainly new facilities, including a new toilet.
During the work, concerns were raised with Shannon who said he would not return until his employer had seen some money.