WA’s Commissioner for Consumer Protection is advising travel-buyers to read terms and conditions very carefully and be wary of ‘pay now/book later’ deals when purchasing holidays during the COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic. Lanie Chopping said that while regional border restrictions continue to ease in Western Australia, interstate and international travel restrictions are a different story and that...

The McGowan Government has created a free conciliation service to assist renters and landlords reach agreement about coronavirus (COVID-19) related tenancy disputes, without having to go to court. The aim of the Residential Tenancies Mandatory Conciliation Service (RTMCS) is for all sides to reach a fair and achievable solution through informal discussion. Unlike court where a decision is imposed...

Consumer Protection has received reports from seven victims of scams where COVID-19 was used in the plot to steal a total of about $68,000. Most were the victims of fake websites, social media pages and advertisements in which COVID-19 was used as an excuse for why their online purchases had not been delivered. A Perth-based Chinese student lost $13,800 when scammers called to report her COVID-19...

Water Corporation, in consultation with Building and Energy, made changes to their water meter relocation process as of 29 April 2020. The changes are designed to better align processes with water services legislation and plumbing regulations, as well as to improve safety when working on or near Water Corporation assets. Key changes to the water meter relocation process: The customer will need to...

The Supreme Court has overturned the acquittal of a Perth tree lopper and convicted him on six charges of breaking consumer law related to an unsolicited sale after a successful appeal by Consumer Protection. Sean Robert Weinthal , who at the time of the offences was operating under the business name West Coast Trees , was acquitted of the charges by the Perth Magistrates Court in June 2019 but...

WA’s energy safety regulator is sharing vital electrical and gas safety tips for people working from home and starting to prepare for cooler weather. Building and Energy is encouraging householders to check that their electrical and gas equipment is safe, in good working order and compliant with Australian standards. “People are using electrical appliances in home offices and for projects around...

The average price of regular unleaded petrol (ULP) is set to increase by over 25 cents per litre (cpl) to 111.9 cpl tomorrow, so FuelWatch is encouraging Perth drivers, if they can, to fill up today to save money. FuelWatch advises that on Wednesday 6 May 2020, most branded retailers are hiking their ULP price: Coles Express hiking by 34 cpl up to 121.9 cpl; 7-Eleven, Caltex Woolworths, Caltex...

Keeping a roof over everyone’s head has never been more important as thousands of people suffer job losses due to the economic fall-out of COVID-19 coronavirus restrictions. New laws are now in place to ensure renters can stay in their homes and businesses won’t have to leave their premises, while recognising that landlords shouldn’t be unnecessarily burdened. The emergency residential tenancy...

WA’s gas safety regulator is urging people to avoid potentially lethal exposure to carbon monoxide by ensuring their gas appliances are well maintained, used correctly and not subject to product safety alerts. Building and Energy’s warning comes as Carbon Monoxide Awareness Week (27 April to 3 May) gets underway and households prepare for cooler weather. Director of Energy Safety Saj Abdoolakhan...

Building and Energy is urging parents of young children to be extra vigilant about potential hazards as youngsters spend more time at home due to COVID-19 coronavirus. “Parents and carers keeping their children out of schools and day-care facilities has meant they are often looking after children all day while juggling working from home and other commitments,” Building and Energy Executive...

Failing to display warning labels on the retail packaging of portable spas has prompted the supplier to introduce strict new quality assurance procedures and donate $10,000 to Royal Life Saving Australia. The measures are part of an enforceable undertaking entered into by Hunter Products Pty Ltd and its sole director Jeffrey Donald Hunter after Consumer Protection commenced legal action in the...

New laws introduced by the McGowan Government to establish a six-month moratorium on evictions for certain commercial tenancies in Western Australia and establish a mandatory code of conduct to assist with negotiations between landlords and tenants have now passed the WA Parliament. The aim of the legislation is to help small commercial tenants that are now in financial distress to survive the...