Consumer Protection

• Gives tenants greater security and protection
• Ensures park rules are fair and reasonable
• Provides guidance and support for park operators

Changes to improve the security of long-stay tenancy agreements and promote fair and transparent arrangements between park operators and tenants will come into effect on 31 January 2022.

Long-stay tenancies can involve living in a caravan, mobile home or park home located within a caravan park or lifestyle village.

Now that COVID-19 rapid antigen tests (RAT) are cleared for sale in Western Australia, many consumers will be looking to get their hands on the popular product before we open our borders to the rest of the country.

When demand for a product outstrips supply, this can create an opportunity for scammers and some individuals to take advantage, so we are urging shoppers to be wary and to familiarise themselves with new rules now in place for RAT kits.

• WA ScamNet reports more than 1,000 victims lost $14.8 million last year
• Most money lost from investment and romance scams
• Highest number of scam victims was online shoppers

A record number of Western Australians fell victim to scams in 2021, also losing a record amount of money.

• Child injuries and deaths are caused by falling furniture or appliances
• Parents and carers urged to secure items that can easily tip over
• Tenants have the right to fix items to walls, except for certain circumstances

Western Australians are being reminded about the dangers of toppling furniture and large appliances following a recent tragedy that claimed the life of a one year old girl in Byford.

• 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.

Furniture can look like a playground to young eyes, which is why it is so important for parents and carers to be aware of the dangers and take steps to minimise the risks.

Toppling furniture and appliances kill an average of one child every year in Australia, with many others also suffering injuries, including brain damage and broken bones. Here in WA, a one-year-old girl tragically died when a chest of drawers fell on her late last year.

Many people have heard of the ‘yellow sticker’ defect notices used to take unroadworthy cars off our streets, but less well known are the ‘green stickers’ used by Consumer Protection to stop dodgy vehicles being sold at car-yards.

Automotive officers from Consumer Protection regularly carry out random inspections at dealerships and place green “Unfit for Sale” stickers on vehicles that have defects and are considered unsafe or unroadworthy.

• Rockingham real estate agency and licensee fined a total of $23,000
• Inaccuracies in trust account records and tenancy bonds lodged too late
• Warning to agents to ensure trust account accuracy and timely bond lodgements

A Rockingham real estate agency and its licensee have been fined a total of $23,000 by the State Administrative Tribunal (SAT) for failing to lodge tenancy bonds with the Bond Administrator on time as well as several trust account violations.