A Joondalup real estate agency and a sales representative will have to pay a total of $21,200 in penalties and costs ordered by the State Administrative Tribunal after a Balga house was sold without the consent of one of the owners. The owners were a couple who had moved overseas and the agency was duped by the husband into believing that his wife and children were killed by the Taliban in...

With Commissioner for Consumer Protection David Hillyard The Christmas shopping period has now begun and it’s important for consumers to remember a few key tips to ensure they actually get what they pay for when buying gifts for family and friends. Many post-Christmas complaints received by Consumer Protection relate to gifts bought online that don’t arrive on time, so it’s important to confirm...

The Wageline Newsletter December edition was sent last week to approximately 10,000 subscribers, and has been published on the Wageline website. This edition features information about the upcoming Christmas / New Year public holidays and what employers need to know about their employment obligations over this period, as well as a range of other critical information for state system employers...

Applicants for a builder, building surveyor or painter’s registration in Western Australia are being reminded of their responsibilities when using a third party service provider to prepare their applications.

Changes to Western Australia’s building regulations have clarified restrictions on the types of buildings and incidental structures a building surveyor may sign a compliance certificate for under the Building Act 2011 .

If you are involved in the building and construction industry in regional Western Australia, you shouldn’t miss this important learning opportunity. Morning session – 9.00am to 12.30pm The Building Code of Australia (BCA) information session is a half day program in the morning covering the following Australian Building Codes Board information, (being presented in Perth on 27 and 28 February 2018...

WorkSafe will conduct a proactive inspection program to look at safety standards in some specific WA store-based retail outlets. The program will continue throughout the remainder of the 2017/18 financial year, and will focus on various retail workplaces including firewood suppliers, musical instrument stores, pharmacies and selected franchise retail outlets throughout WA. Acting WorkSafe...

Consumer Protection has been advised by the promoters that this Sunday’s “Earthcore in the Park” event at Mulberry on Swan near Perth has been cancelled, so ticketholders should be offered a refund. Ticketholders who purchased tickets via credit card should immediately contact their credit card provider or bank to apply for a charge back . Those who purchased tickets via PayPal should contact...

Another loss from a cyber-attack that intercepted a property sale transaction has triggered Consumer Protection to issue a renewed warning to buyers, sellers, tenants and agents in WA to be extra vigilant. In the latest case, the buyer of a Karrinyup property lost $20,000 after cyber criminals sent an email purporting to be from his real estate agent requesting the deposit be paid into a bank...

A landscaper is facing an arrest warrant after failing to attend court to answer charges of allegedly taking money from consumers and then not carrying out the work. WA consumers are being warned not to conduct business with Trent Danny Caines , trading as TDC Landscaping. Mr Caines mostly advertises via Gumtree and charges large deposits, if not the full amount, for landscaping and brick paving...

A Maddington motor vehicle dealer and repairer has been banned for two years from holding a dealer’s licence or repair business licence, or managing a company that holds either licence, after he was found guilty of selling vehicles with wound-back odometers. Mazin Alkiaat , formerly operating as W.A. Auto and Parts , had his licences cancelled by the State Administrative Tribunal on 10 November...