There can be confusion about the difference between retirement villages and residential / caravan parks . In terms of appearance and services, the two may be very similar. The main differences relate to the type of ownership and occupancy arrangements, the permanency of tenure and the protections...
5 November 2015 A lessor has been fined $24,000 after the Consumer Protection Division of the Department of Commerce (Consumer Protection) prosecuted him for breaches of the Residential Tenancies Act...
What is eTransactions? eTransactions, or electronic transactions, allows real estate agents to lodge, vary and dispose of tenancy bonds online without paper forms. eTransactions is available to...
23 January 2015 Amendments have been gazetted in the Government Gazette of 20 January 2015 to amend the Form 1AC Information for Tenants and Form 1AD Information for Tenant with Non-written Tenancy...
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...
The McGowan Government today announced amendments to residential caravan park laws to provide extra protections for Western Australians. Changes will be made to the Residential Parks (Long-stay Tenants) Act 2006, which regulates the relationship between park operators and long-stay tenants. This will balance the interests of operators and tenants, and ensure fairer dealings between the parties...
A landlady who entered a rental property illegally to conduct renovations and change the locks while the elderly tenant was in hospital has been convicted and ordered to pay $11,907 in fines and costs by the Fremantle Magistrates Court. Marlene Ruzica Pavlovich of Munster, who is a former real estate sales representative, was found guilty on 30 June 2017 of contravening 2 offences under the...
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:...
A Perth real estate agency’s computer system has been hacked by scammers, resulting in bogus advertisements being posted on numerous rental accommodation websites. Actions are being taken to have the fake ads removed and to have an email address being used by the scammers ( rentscall@gmail.com ) closed down. The scammers gained access to the western suburbs’ agency’s log in details for sites such...
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...
With Acting Commissioner for Consumer Protection, David Hillyard Tenancy laws in WA are under review in a bid to support victims of family violence who live in rental homes. It’s your chance to have a say because community feedback is now invited. An options paper has been released outlining proposed amendments to the Residential Tenancies Act that are designed to complement the Restraining...
With Acting Commissioner for Consumer Protection, David Hillyard Do you know of an individual or organisation doing great work to help consumers or tenants, or promote product safety in WA? You can now recognise their efforts by nominating for the Consumer Protection Awards 2017. The awards are open to individuals, non-profit groups, businesses, and local government organisations, plus there's a...
With Acting Consumer Protection Commissioner David Hillyard The current economic climate is affecting the rental market in Perth and Western Australia. Some renters are leaving homes for a less expensive option because their financial circumstances have changed, while others are simply taking advantage of the increase in vacant rental properties to choose from. When it is time to end a tenancy,...
With Acting Commissioner for Consumer Protection David Hillyard Court case highlights landlord obligations A recent court case has highlighted the need for private landlords in WA, as well as real estate agents and property managers, to be aware of their obligations under tenancy laws and to comply with them. In the case, Bozena Sakowski was fined $7,200 by the Perth Magistrates Court after she...
