Consumer Protection

• Reports of landlords and agents flouting laws with unannounced visits
• Warning for owners and agents to follow the legal procedures for visits
• Tenants urged to lodge complaints against offending landlords and agents

Consumer Protection is concerned about reports of private landlords and property managers carrying out surprise visits on their tenants, calling on them to comply with their legal obligations relating to accessing the rental property.

• Maximum damages claim for cancellations reduced from 15 to five per cent
• Dealers warned to only charge for realistic costs of contract cancellation
• Consumers urged to be sure of purchase as cancellation can be costly

The maximum amount motor vehicle dealers in WA can charge a consumer who cancels a purchase contract will be reduced to five per cent of the contract’s value from 1 January 2022.

• Consumers urged to be aware of new eRideable rules to make an informed choice
• Popularity of eScooters, eSkateboards and other devices prompt extra safety measures
• Retailers warned not to mislead consumers about speed limits and permitted uses

Consumer Protection is urging shoppers to consider the new rules covering the use of electric rideable devices (eRideables) that are now in effect before deciding to purchase.

Anyone who’s tried to cancel a contract to buy a new or used car may recall being slugged with a fee from the dealer for pulling out of the deal.

Known as ‘pre-estimated liquidated damages’, the fee is supposed to be a true reflection of actual costs incurred by the dealership as a result of the transaction falling through, such as vehicle licensing costs, special accessories that may have been fitted and demonstrable administration costs.

• Tenants reporting rental properties with major maintenance issues
• Lack of action by some landlords creating unsafe and unhealthy homes
• Landlords warned not to undertake unlicensed plumbing or electrical repairs

Consumer Protection is receiving numerous reports of sub-standard rental properties being leased to WA tenants from some private landlords.

These landlords are failing to properly maintain their properties and carry out essential repairs that are creating dangerous hazards with the potential to harm tenants.

Electric scooters and skateboards will likely appear on many Christmas wish-lists this year, given the growing popularity of these eRideable devices and others like them in recent years.

To avoid disappointment when shopping for eRideables, it is important to be across the new rules that are now in effect covering how they can be used.

• Portable pools pose danger to young children
• One portable pool-related fatality each year on average
• Don’t Duck Out, Make It SAFE campaign in its fourth year

Tragically, on average one child dies from portable pool-related drowning each year in Australia and other kids need hospital treatment and may be left with severe brain injuries.

That’s why Australian consumer protection and product safety regulators join forces with Royal Life Saving Society - Australia every summer to remind parents and carers to make portable pools SAFE.

• Be wary of fake door to door tradies offering cheap deals
• Check out the licence, if required, and credentials of tradies
• Charity scammers are known to target disasters to steal money from donors

A precautionary warning to victims of recent bushfires in Perth and WA’s South-West that they could be targeted by travelling conmen aiming to capitalise on their misfortune.

The warning also extends to those thinking of making donations to make sure they are not fooled into giving money to scammers instead.

• People looking for love online are prime targets for scammers
• WA victims lost almost $3 million in 2021
• Check to ensure the online love interest is genuine

Consumer Protection warns Western Australians looking for love could be left with a broken heart and an empty bank balance if they fail to spot the signs their online romance is the work of scammers.

Would-be scammers are using a broader range of digital platforms to target victims, including social networks, dating sites and instant-messaging apps.

• 68 vehicles deemed unfit for sale by automotive inspectors in 2021
• Defects mostly related to tyres, windscreens and seatbelts
• Buyers urged to get a mechanical inspection before purchase

Automotive officers from Consumer Protection prevented 68 unroadworthy motor vehicles from being sold in 2021, helping to protect buyers and other road users in WA.

Random inspections are regularly carried out at car yards in WA and green “Unfit for Sale” stickers are placed on vehicles that have defects and are considered unsafe or unroadworthy.