An urgent alert to the WA real estate and settlement industries, as well as to buyers and sellers of properties, has been issued by Consumer Protection after three recent cyber-attacks have resulted in almost $590,000 being stolen in property-related scams. In the worst case, an 83 year old property buyer in Perth’s western suburbs has lost $557,000 after the fraudsters intercepted email...

A fire which damaged a rental property in Orelia has sparked concern about the dangers posed by cannabis grow-houses when the power to the home is by-passed. The discovery of more grow-houses in Perth has prompted a renewed warning from Consumer Protection for Perth landlords to be extra vigilant when selecting tenants for their homes, with Western Power also concerned about power safety. About 1...

A property manager who stole tenants’ money has been banned for nine months, fined $3,000 and reprimanded by the State Administrative Tribunal (SAT). Brendan Geoffrey Dabinett of Morley was also ordered by the SAT to pay costs of $1,200. He admitted to breaching the Residential Tenancies Act, the Real Estate and Business Agents Act and the Code of Conduct for Agents and Sales Representatives by:...

With Acting Commissioner for Consumer Protection David Hillyard The Department of Commerce Bond Administrator figures showed 10 per cent of all residential rental bond lodgements were made late in January this year. A bond is money paid by the tenant and held in trust for the duration of a tenancy. The Residential Tenancies Act 1987 (the Act) requires that bonds must be lodged by the landlord or...