Consumer Protection

July 2017

A real estate agent has had his licence and triennial certificate cancelled by the State Administrative Tribunal after failing to complete compulsory training requirements.

Anthony Palermo of Dalkeith was subject to disciplinary action by Consumer Protection when he failed to complete the necessary Compulsory Professional Development (CPD) obligations for three consecutive years 2013-2015, in breach of the Real Estate and Business Agents Act.

Incorporated associations who fall into tier 2 and 3 for financial reporting purposes have specific responsibilities under the Associations Incorporation Act 2015 (the Act) with respect to appointing, removing and providing information to their reviewer or auditor.

NOTE

The Associations Incorporation Act 2015 (the Act) includes specific responsibilities for auditors and reviewers appointed by an incorporated association. These requirements have been listed below for your information.

NOTE

30 June 2017

Following recent media reporting on the Auditor General’s Government Information Systems Audit Report issued 29 June 2017, the Bond Administration team has been contacted by some agents seeking clarification on the security levels around the Bonds Online eTransactions system and whether any threat against agency and clients’ personal data from cyber-attacks was possible.

30 June 2017

Changes which affect settlement agents

The Licensing Provisions Amendment Act 2016 will take effect on 1 July 2017. It amends a number of industry Acts in Western Australia, including the Settlement Agents Act 1981 (Act).

The amendments to the Act will:

30 June 2017

Changes which affect the real estate industry

The Licensing Provisions Amendment Act 2016 will take effect on 1 July 2017. It amends a number of industry Acts in Western Australia, including the Real Estate and Business Agents Act 1978 and the Auction Sales Act 1973.

Amendments to the Residential Tenancies Act 1987 will take effect on 3 July 2017.

The amended Acts will be available from the State Law Publisher’s website after the amendments come into force.

28 June 2017

Be aware - changes to the law 

Be aware - changes to the law

On 3 July 2017, changes to the Residential Tenancies Act 1987  and the Residential Tenancies Regulations 1989 will come into effect.  Acquaint yourself with these changes as summarised below; the information will assist you in managing your rental property efficiently. 

The amended tenancy agreements and forms will be available online and must be used from 3 July 2017 onwards.

28 June 2017

Changes which affect the land valuer industry

The Licensing Provisions Bill 2015 will take effect on 1 July 2017. It amends a number of industry Acts in Western Australia including the Land Valuers Licensing Act 1978 (the Act).

The amendments to the Act will:

23 June 2017

A real estate sales representative has been reprimanded by the State Administrative Tribunal (SAT) and must pay a $1,000 fine and $500 in costs for breaching a special condition on his certificate of registration.

Mark Bruce Hourn of Exmouth failed to complete the necessary Compulsory Professional Development (CPD) obligations for three consecutive years 2013-2015, in breach of the Real Estate and Business Agents Act.

23 June 2017

Impact on property sales of $750,000 or more

On 1 July 2017, the proposed changes to the foreign resident capital gains withholding (FRCGW) rate and threshold will take effect.

These changes will apply to contracts entered into on, or after 1 July 2017 for real property disposals where the contract price is $750,000 and above.  The FRCGW tax rate will also change from the existing rate of 10% to 12.5%.