Issue Date:  -  Friday, 28 October 2005

Supreme Court orders that landlord be restrained - Rolf Gerard Voulon

Yesterday, serial offending landlord Rolf Gerard Voulon (42) of Florence Street West Perth and four of his companies were on the receiving end of interim injunctions granted by the Supreme Court to the Consumer Protection Commissioner.

The Department of Consumer and Employment Protection continues its moves to curtail Mr Voulon’s improper conduct against occupants of his numerous rental properties.

Mr Voulon and his company Temple of Bel Pty Ltd have faced court in recent times relating to numerous charges under the Residential Tenancies Act such as failing to lodge a tenant’s bond money, to more serious charges under the Fair Trading Act of using coercion against his tenants.

At his most recent appearance before the Courts, Mr Voulon and his company were fined a total of $45,000 for various offences.  Despite being prosecuted and fined in the past for conduct breaching the Residential Tenancies Act, Mr Voulon refused to accept that the Act applied to his dealings with his tenants.

“Many of Mr Voulon’s tenants are vulnerable consumers such as overseas students and people with limited English skills and it became apparent to us that the only way to stop him contravening the law was to seek injunctions against him”, Consumer Protection Commissioner Patrick Walker said.

“This man is well known to us and the negative impact that he has had on these vulnerable consumers has fuelled our resolve to seek court injunctions.  

“The granting of interim injunctions in the Supreme Court along with associated costs against Mr Voulon and his companies is very encouraging and sends a strong message that the Department and the community will not endure the type of behaviour we have seen in this landlord”, he said.

The interim orders restrain Mr Voulon and his companies from engaging in a range of conduct, including representing to occupants that they are lodgers as opposed to tenants. 

“It has long been our view that the lodging agreements issued to occupants by Mr Voulon were an attempt to deprive them of the protection of the Residential Tenancies Act”, the Commissioner said.

Consumer Protection will be progressing legal action towards a trial at which time permanent injunctions against Mr Voulon and his companies will be sought.

Consumers with outstanding concerns about Mr Voulon or any other landlord should telephone 1300 30 40 54 or email consumer@docep.wa.gov.au for assistance.