The “scam” conduct of two licensed plumbers who provided unqualified electrical advice was “morally offensive” as it involved vulnerable victims and sales tactics, according to a Perth Magistrate.
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.
False claims about the air conditioning system of a Jindalee home for sale has resulted in an Alkimos real estate agency and its Director being ordered to pay a total of $7,500.
Failure to lodge three tenancy bonds on time has resulted in an East Perth real estate agency being reprimanded and fined $2,500 by the State Administrative Tribunal.
With more of us holidaying at home this year due to ongoing travel restrictions, hiring a rental vehicle can be a great way to explore our vast state.
Unfortunately things don’t always go to plan, with new figures showing we received 183 complaints and 251 enquiries from consumers about the vehicle hire industry in the last two years – mostly to do with disputes over refunds and payment.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
