Iplex Pipes Class Action: What you need to know

If your home was built or renovated using Iplex “Pro-fit” polybutylene pipes manufactured between 2017 and 2022 using Typlex 1050 resin, you could be in for an expensive shock.

Many homeowners have faced significant damage and have had to repair or replace affected pipes, sparking legal action and government intervention in Western Australia.

The Iplex pipes class action alleges the "Pro-fit" pipes made with Typlex 1050 resin are prone to cracking and leaking, which could cause water damage, structural issues and reduce property values.

 

 

About 30,000 homes across Australia are believed to have been fitted with the pipes, with about half of those in Western Australia.

What has the response been?

In Western Australia, the State Government worked with Iplex and several builders who installed the pipes to find resolution for affected homeowners.

The parties finalised a joint industry response (JIR) agreement, which gives participating builders access to funds to repair leaking pipes in affected homes. It follows State Government legislative change which extends the period in which complaints regarding such defects may be made from six years to 15 years.

However, it only applies to homeowners in Western Australia. Homeowners are also only eligible if their builder is participating in the JIR and not all builders have done so. Even then, the scope of the repairs covered by the scheme depends on how many leaks have occurred in the home.

What is the Iplex pipes class action?

Baker McKenzie filed a class action against Iplex Pipelines Australia Pty Ltd, a subsidiary of Fletcher Building Limited, in the Federal Court in July 2024 on behalf of all current and former owners of properties fitted with the Iplex "Pro-fit" pipes manufactured between 2017 and 2022 using Typlex 1050 resin.

 

 

The claim alleges that the pipes do not comply with the guarantee under the Australian Consumer Law (ACL) that products must be of an acceptable quality. It also alleges that Iplex engaged in misleading and deceptive conduct.

The class action seeks compensation for group members who have suffered loss and damage due to the defective pipes and/or misleading or deceptive conduct.

If your home is fitted with the Iplex Typlex 1050 "Pro-fit" pipes, you are automatically a group member if you acquired the pipes between July 2017 and August 2024 for a purpose other than resupply:

• • from Iplex or another supplier; or
  • from a person who acquired the Typlex pipes from Iplex or another supplier; or
  • you obtained title to the pipes from a person who acquired them as per above.

Like most class actions in Australia, if you don’t want to be part of proceedings, you will need to opt out when given the opportunity.

 

 

Why you should register for the Iplex pipes class action

Read more about the class action and how to register here.

As many homeowners have already experienced, replacing all these pipes in your home is costly.

The class action seeks compensation for homeowners.

Even if you have not yet had any issues with Iplex Typlex 1050 "Pro-fit" pipes in your home, it is important to be proactive. Any water damage, now or in the future, could not only be costly and stressful, but could also affect your insurance and the value of your home. Make sure you check to see if the affected pipes are in your property and take steps to protect your most valuable asset.

While you are automatically a group member as outlined above, it is important to register for the Iplex pipes class action. This extra step will ensure you are kept informed as the case progresses – at no cost to you. Given the high price of pursuing legal redress as an individual, a class action is an important way of holding companies to account.

Although you will not be required to pay anything out-of-pocket to participate in the class action, if the class action is successful in court or settles out of court, your share of legal fees may be deducted from any compensation you receive.

A litigation funder is paying the legal fees in the class action. The funder in this case is Fortress Investment Group. In return for funding the case and taking the risk of paying Iplex’s legal costs if the case is unsuccessful, Fortress will seek to be paid a percentage of any total settlement or compensation award as a funding commission.

 

Handle My Complaint is publishing this information under a commercial partnership with Baker McKenzie, the lawyers for the lead applicant in the class action, the costs of which will be reimbursed by Fortress Investment Group, the funder of the class action.