- Innaloo landscaper fined a second time for wrongly accepting payment
- Trent Caines of T&C Landscape Construction again took deposits, failed to deliver
- Ordered to pay $6,470, including fines and compensation
A repeat-offender landscaper has once again been penalised by the Perth Magistrates Court for taking upfront deposits from customers without delivering the promised work.
Trent Danny Caines, trading as T&C Landscape Construction of Innaloo, pleaded guilty to two charges of wrongly accepting payment under the Australian Consumer Law. He was fined $2,000, ordered to pay $1,720 in court costs and directed to compensate one affected consumer with $2,750.
In September 2023, the consumer engaged Mr Caines to carry out landscaping works at their Ballajura property, including soil removal and the installation of a retaining wall. Despite paying upfront deposits totalling $3,400, Mr Caines completed only partial work, including removing some soil (which was left roadside), undertaking limited paving and constructing a driveway wedge using the consumer’s own paving stores – all of which the consumer valued at about $400. No further work was completed and the consumer received only a $250 refund.
In a separate matter dating back to October 2021, Mr Caines accepted a $1,000 deposit from a consumer for the installation of a limestone wall with rear waterproofing, as well as a high panel and post, at a property in Nollamara. No work was carried out, communication ceased entirely, and a refund only issued after Consumer Protection initiated legal action.
This marks the second time Consumer Protection has prosecuted Mr Caines for similar misconduct. In March 2018, he was fined $4,000 and ordered to pay $18,114 in compensation after taking deposits from eight consumers for paving and landscaping services that were never delivered.
In sentencing for the latest offence, Magistrate Matthews acknowledged Mr Caines’ right to earn a living but emphasised the need to send a clear message, given his repeated offending.
Commissioner for Consumer Protection Trish Blake said it was regrettable Mr Caines had not heeded the lessons of his earlier prosecution.
“Mr Caines’ actions showed a clear disregard for consumer rights – taking deposits, avoiding accountability, and failing to deliver on the promised work,” Ms Blake said.
“Nobody should feel pressured to pay large sums upfront when a small deposit of around 10 per cent and staggered payments for bigger jobs are safer and fairer.
“Paying by credit card can also help, as you might be able to get your money back if the job isn’t done.”
Consumers who pay deposits to tradespeople but have trouble getting the work completed, can lodge a complaint on the Consumer Protection website. For enquiries, email consumer@lgirs.wa.gov.au or call 1300 30 40 54.
Media Contact: cpmedia@lgirs.wa.gov.au