7 November 2014
The Settlement Agents Act 1981 gives the Commissioner for Consumer Protection the power to make arrangements in respect of fidelity and professional indemnity insurance for settlement agents operating in Western Australia. Where the Commissioner considers it necessary, the Commissioner can appoint an insurer and enter into a Master Policy Agreement.
When you go shopping you have rights. This booklet, Be Smart - Buy Smart, will help you to understand your rights so that you can get a fair go. Follow the tips in this booklet and you will find that you can save time, money and trouble when you shop.
This brochure provides general information about buying and selling property by way of offer and acceptance. Scope of this publication
This publication provides general information and explains the law in simple language. It is no substitute for the legislation. You should get expert or legal advice about your particular situation.
The Retirement Villages Act 1992 allows residents of a retirement village to elect a Residents’ Committee if they wish to.
If residents seek to form an incorporated association to carry out the function of the Residents’ Committee, this must be decided by a special resolution (see appendix A).
Other committees can also be formed in the village for other purposes such as social activities, but there can only be one Residents’ Committee.
A Residents’ Committee may be established by:
The information in this document is provided as a guide for village managers and residents. The dispute resolution process is outlined in Division 6 of the Fair Trading (Retirement Villages Code) Regulations 2022 (the Code).
In any communal living situation with shared amenities, disputes between residents, or between residents and the administering body, may occur. Open and respectful communication is the best way to prevent or resolve disputes.
Settlement industry bulletins provide topical information and reminders for agents.
Please note: The consultation period has now closed.
In May 2014 the Commissioner for Consumer Protection, Anne Driscoll, released a position paper proposing that government deregulate the fees charged by settlement agents and land valuers.
Settlement agents are reminded that the three-month consultation period for the discussion paper closes on Thursday, 31 July 2014.
The Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) will soon be contacting business name holders, who have not renewed their business name registration, about its intention to cancel their business name.
According to a recent media release, ASIC will commence a pilot program to free up business names for registration.
Consumer Protection has updated previous best practice guidance information supplied to settlement agents regarding their obligations with respect to residual current devices (RCDs) and smoke alarms.
The former Settlement Agents Supervisory Board (the Board), which regulated settlement agents conduct prior to Consumer Protection taking over the role in July 2011, issued two e-Bulletins in 2009 concerning best practice in relation to RCDs and smoke alarms.
