## Rogue Builder’s Actions Leave Entire Neighbourhood at Risk in Merthyr Tydfil
A builder operating in Merthyr Tydfil has been handed fines and a demand for compensation totalling over £9,000 after carrying out dangerous and substandard building work, causing significant risk for both the property owner and the surrounding community.
Harry Nixon, trading under the name HDH Building and Maintenance, was prosecuted at Merthyr Tydfil Magistrates’ Court following an investigation led by local trading standards officers. Nixon admitted to multiple breaches of trading standards laws, including unregistered and uncertified gas work and failing to comply with established building regulations.
The case centred on a property where Nixon had been hired to solve a damp problem along a single wall in a kitchen. Despite the scope of the job initially being limited, the work “escalated” to include three kitchen walls which required removal of plaster, the application of a damp-proof solution, and subsequent re-plastering. In the process, kitchen units were taken out — including a gas hob — with the latter left disconnected for more than a month.
This prolonged disconnection, and the suspected lack of professional care, meant that by the time a Gas Safe registered engineer finally attended the property, a dangerous gas leak had developed, necessitating urgent remedial work for which the customer also had to pay. During their expert assessment, the engineer confirmed that Nixon had neither the qualifications nor the registration required for handling gas appliances, a prerequisite designed to prevent exactly this kind of hazardous situation.
It later came to light that building regulations had also been flouted. An inspection by Merthyr Tydfil Council’s building control service found a litany of failings, adding to the gravity of the situation. While the homeowner had already paid a total of £9,400 for the incomplete refurbishment, the discovery of the gas leak ultimately led them to lose faith in the builder, particularly after observing that wet plaster was being painted over before being allowed to dry.
Highlighting the potential severity of the infractions, council officials voiced concern at the risk posed not just to the homeowner, but to neighbouring properties as well. “The results could have been catastrophic,” a local authority representative stated, underlining the importance of professionalism and regulatory compliance where gas works are concerned.
Craig Rushton, the team leader for Merthyr Tydfil’s trading standards department, took the opportunity to remind residents of the importance of thoroughly vetting any tradesperson before contracting them for building work. “Home improvements can be a significant cost for property owners,” Rushton said. He encouraged homeowners to check trade association registers to confirm membership claims and to use the Gas Safe Register to verify that anyone undertaking gas work is authorised to do so.
Writing contracts and doing background research, Rushton advised, are simple steps individuals can take to safeguard both their investment and personal safety. His comments come amid ongoing efforts by the council to clamp down on rogue traders who flout basic requirements and jeopardise community welfare.
Councillor Declan Sammon, cabinet member responsible for transformation and governance, reiterated the council’s dedication to shielding residents from unscrupulous contractors. “We will continue to protect residents of Merthyr Tydfil from rogue traders during this cost of living crisis and beyond,” he commented. “Businesses providing building services to our residents have a duty to provide a fair and honest service.”
As the investigation into Nixon’s conduct makes clear, even routine home maintenance can escalate into a matter of public safety when proper procedures are ignored. The case serves as a stark reminder of the crucial role of regulation and oversight within the construction and maintenance industry.
The outcome at Merthyr Tydfil Magistrates’ Court stands as both a punishment for professional negligence and a call to action for all homeowners in the area to remain vigilant when commissioning building work in their homes.