The owner of a troubled Adelaide renovation company has declared bankruptcy, leaving nearly $800,000 in debts and dozens of families stranded with gutted homes, unfinished work, and no answers.
7NEWS can reveal Jase William Henry, the operator of SOS Home Renovations, lodged bankruptcy papers on Thursday afternoon. The documents list a long line of creditors, with the largest single amount owed sitting at $185,000.
On Friday, 7NEWS tracked Henry to his Walkerville home as he was heading out, but he refused to stop and explain how so many customers have been left in financial and emotional ruin.
Among them is retiree Raelene Robb, who has been forced to toilet and shower in portable facilities in her garage as winter sets in. The bathroom, toilet, and laundry of her Salisbury home were demolished and abandoned, despite her paying $54,000 for the work.
“Those portables… while they’re there, that’s all we’ve got,” she told 7NEWS. “I’m quite emotional because of everything else I’m dealing with.”
A mini skip has also been sitting in her driveway for almost six weeks, with no one taking responsibility for removing it.
Robb is one of a growing list of victims — including a northern suburbs single mum and a family of six — all left with half-completed renovations after Henry appeared to go to ground.
Neighbours at a Klemzig property linked to him told 7NEWS he hasn’t been seen for some time.
Authorities have since confirmed Henry did not hold a builder’s licence, meaning he also had no insurance to cover the damage or unfinished work.
South Australian Treasurer Tom Koutsantonis said he was alarmed by the unfolding situation. “I saw the Channel 7 story and it was horrifying. It’s heartbreaking,” he said.
Premier Peter Malinauskas echoed the concern, saying the regulator would be examining the case. “Look, these are heartbreaking circumstances,” he said.
Henry’s bankruptcy trustees told 7NEWS they have begun investigating his conduct and financial affairs and will report back to creditors as soon as possible.
