Consumer Protection

Western Australia’s residential property market is booming right now, so house-hunters may be feeling some pressure to buy now to avoid missing out in future.

While it might be a seller’s market, we would urge buyers to avoid making hasty decisions they might later regret by doing their own research, asking lots of questions and seeking professional advice. There is no mandatory cooling-off period for real estate contracts in WA, meaning it’s very difficult to back out once a written offer is signed.

• Websites charging for free or low cost information from government agencies
• Beware of vehicle checks, fuel price and super search websites
• Consumers urged to obtain information from the source before signing up

Consumers are urged to be aware that numerous websites offering to carry out internet searches for a fee may actually be providing information from government agencies that is publicly available for free or at a much lower cost.

Car trouble can strike at any time when you are out on the roads, so it’s important to be across your rights before a breakdown or an accident occurs to avoid being taken for a ride by tow truck operators.

Following recent heavy rains, we heard from a number of motorists who broke down on flooded streets and allowed tow trucks to move their vehicles without ensuring a total price was included on the 'Authority to Tow' form. As a result, these motorists are now being charged exorbitant towing and storage costs by the tow truck companies.

• $6,600 infringement notice for failing to comply with unsolicited sales’ laws
• Company initially refused to refund 50% deposit after contract cancelled
• Consumers advised to get multiple quotes to avoid paying too much

A Perth plumbing and electrical company has been issued with a $6,600 infringement notice by Consumer Protection for breaking consumer laws related to unsolicited sales and initially refusing to refund a deposit.

• Dyes used to identify grades of petrol no longer required
• Transitional period of up to 12 months now in place
• Fuel performance not affected by the changes

Motorists and fuel industry participants are being advised that dyes will no longer be required in all unleaded petrol grades in Australia, a change that took effect on 1 August 2021.

• Consumer complaints report treatments that went wrong
• A wide range of issues raised, including unexpected injury, pain and scars
• Research required to ensure operators are experienced and professional

WA consumers are urged to exercise caution when seeking beauty and cosmetic treatment services, as botched procedures can result in injury, pain and long-term scarring.

• More than 3,000 Western Australians secure home buyers grant in 2020-21
• Near record $6 million paid out to help people buy their first home
• Funds come from interest earned from the trust accounts of real estate agents

A near record $6 million in Home Buyers Assistance Account (HBAA) grants were paid to first home buyers last financial year, helping more than 3,000 Western Australians to buy their first home.

Tenants and landlords don’t always see eye-to-eye over what constitutes “fair wear and tear” at the end of a tenancy, which may then lead to a disagreement over how the security bond is to be disbursed.

Bond disputes have been one of the major issues Consumer Protection has been handling since the rent moratorium ended in March this year, with new figures revealing we have conciliated 206 disputes so far this year – double the number of disputes recorded in the same period of 2020.

• Consumers make payments but goods or services not supplied
• Six consumers claim to be owed a total of almost $40,000
• Trader has previously been prosecuted for failing to supply

A second warning has been issued to consumers regarding an online Jeep parts and accessories dealer and vehicle builder who takes payments but fails to deliver the goods or services ordered either by phone or via a website.

Finding reliable and trustworthy tradespeople is at the crux of any home project, no matter whether you’re building, renovating or needing a simple day job done.

While most tradies do the right thing, consumers often come to us about the unscrupulous operators who don’t.

Issues can arise when consumers accept tradespeople on face value and pay large amounts of money as a deposit – but the work is then not completed or is done to a poor standard.