Holbrook Homes Under Fire: Financial Woes, Legal Battles, and a Director’s Troubled Past

Holbrook Homes, a Victorian-based builder, remains under scrutiny as customers report unresolved defects, financial hardships, and questionable practices. Recent revelations regarding the company’s director, Marcel Nassour, have added to the growing concerns surrounding the troubled builder.

Previous VCAT Rulings Against Holbrook Homes

In September 2023, VCAT ordered Holbrook Homes to pay $306,960.57 in damages to Mr and Mrs Langley for defective construction on their Bannockburn home. The defects included significant issues such as roof leaks, mould growth in a bedroom, improper slab construction, and brickwork faults. These defects rendered parts of the home unusable and required extensive remediation, with damages allocated for repairs, contingencies, and builder’s margins.

By October 2024, VCAT issued another judgment against Holbrook Homes, awarding Barry and Sarah Langley $13,936 to cover alternative accommodation and storage costs incurred during rectification works. The prolonged legal battle highlighted Holbrook’s procedural missteps, including attempts to register the original judgment in the County Court, forcing the Langleys to bear additional legal costs. Despite these setbacks, Holbrook Homes has failed to regain public trust.

Revelations About Marcel Nassour’s Past

A closer look at Holbrook Homes’ director, Marcel Nassour, has revealed a controversial past that raises concerns about his current role in the building industry. According to an article from News.com.au, in 1990, Nassour, who was 25 at the time, was convicted of trying to bribe a judge to avoid jail for drug trafficking charges. He was involved in the plan with Trevor Young and Tony Mokbel, who later became one of Australia’s most notorious organised crime figures.

As part of the plan, Nassour approached an undercover detective pretending to be a corrupt court staffer at a Melbourne bar. He offered $53,000 and cocaine to sway the judge’s decision. The scheme failed, and Nassour, Mokbel, and Young were all charged and convicted for attempting to pervert the course of justice. Mokbel, now serving a 26-year sentence for other crimes, got his first conviction from this case. Nassour was even mentioned in a biography about Mokbel, showing how closely he was tied to the criminal underworld at the time.

Around the same time, Nassour was charged with possession of a pistol. However, court records show the charge was never finalised, and no conviction was made. Nassour denies ever having a firearm, saying the accusation was not true. Ironically, the original drug charges that led to the bribery attempt were later dropped due to lack of evidence, meaning Nassour wouldn’t have faced jail time if not for the bribery scheme.

In 2008, Nassour’s financial troubles made headlines when he was declared bankrupt over a $20,784 debt to a timber and hardware company. The Federal Magistrates’ Court issued a sequestration order, though no record of the bankruptcy is listed on the National Personal Insolvency Index. Nassour claims he wasn’t aware of the bankruptcy and denies allegations of financial mismanagement.

Current Financial and Operational Struggles

According to News.com.au, Holbrook Homes is reportedly grappling with over $200,000 in debts. Five companies have obtained court judgments against the business, amounting to $100,000, while five others have lodged payment defaults totaling $135,000. Despite these financial woes, Nassour has denied the company is on the brink of collapse, asserting that Holbrook Homes will complete all ongoing projects before ceasing operations. However, customers remain sceptical, citing financial devastation and unresolved construction issues.

Customer Hardships and Allegations

According to News.com.au, Customers reported payment demands for incomplete works, with one client stating the builder attempted to charge him while significant stages of the project remained unfinished. Tradespeople allegedly visited construction sites seeking unpaid debts, and multiple creditors obtained court judgments against Holbrook Homes for unpaid bills, including a $28,000 debt in December and another $37,000 debt in March. One homeowner claimed he was “ghosted” for months after paying his deposit, only for the builder to demand payment despite unfinished works.

Another customer, Mr Jollie, claims Holbrook billed him $62,000 for incomplete works and issued a stop work order when he raised concerns about the unfinished frame. Holbrook’s accidental email calling Mr Jollie “nuts” further strained their relationship, leading to doubts about the company’s professionalism.

The Davis family were looking to build their dream home when it turned into a financial nightmare after spending $150,000 with Holbrook Homes without progress. Aaron Davis terminated the contract after months of stalled construction, incurring $10,000 in legal fees. The mould-infested timber frame was so damaged it had to be burned, and hiring a new builder is costing the family an additional $120,000. Davis also discovered that Nassour removed timber from the site without notification, leaving him to clean up the remaining rubbish and pay another $8,000 for site rectification.

Holbrook’s Reputation and Customer Backlash

The growing number of dissatisfied customers and allegations of mismanagement have further eroded Holbrook Homes’ reputation. Customers report abandoned sites, payment demands for unfinished work, and a lack of communication from the company. The Victorian Building Authority (VBA) temporarily suspended Nassour’s building licence in October 2024, citing non-compliance with insurance requirements. Although the licence has since been reinstated, trust in the company remains low.

Additionally, on 20 December 2024, the Victorian Building Authority (VBA) issued a reprimand and a $7,000 penalty to Holbrook Homes Pty Ltd for failing to comply with a written direction to fix building work at a project site in Kyneton. The company was found to have contravened section 37H(1) of the Building Act, leading to a three-year partial suspension of its license. This decision is currently subject to review by VCAT.

Meanwhile, homeowners continue to report issues with incomplete projects, delayed timelines, and mounting financial burdens. Several clients allege that their builds have been abandoned, while others claim that construction has stalled indefinitely, forcing them to spend thousands on alternative arrangements. Holbrook’s financial struggles are further exacerbated by multiple court judgments against the company for unpaid debts, adding to the dissatisfaction of tradespeople and creditors.