A repeat rogue renovator has been fined $170,000 for falsely posing as a registered builder and working without mandatory insurance, leaving her victims with unfinished jobs and major repair bills.

Ha Thi “Miki” Nguyen pleaded guilty to 12 charges under Victoria’s Building Act relating to illegal home renovations in Melbourne suburbs Wantirna South, Doncaster and Donvale.

The latest convictions come after the 48-year-old was fined in April 2022 for similar offences. A magistrate described her then as a “dishonest cunning thief”, according to the state Building and Plumbing Commission.

This time, the presiding magistrate told Nguyen she was lucky to avoid charges under the Crimes Act, which carries jail time.

Three homeowners contacted Nguyen through Facebook, where she advertised under the names Tim Reno and AZ Homes, Moorabbin Magistrates’ Court heard.

Nguyen, from Melbourne, claimed she was a registered builder, co-owned a company that employed 40 people and had more than 20 years’ experience in renovation work.

After agreeing to jobs and receiving payments, Nguyen – also known as Minh Truong Tran – disappeared when homeowners questioned her credentials or complained about her crew’s shoddy work, the building commission says.

Commission CEO Anna Cronin says the case “highlights how important it is to ensure your building practitioner is appropriately registered for jobs over $10,000”.

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