Consumer Protection

23 October 2014: Changes to application requirements for renewal of licences

As you may be aware, the Settlement Agents Act 1981 (the SA Act) will soon be amended by the Consumer Protection Legislation Amendment Bill 2013 (the Bill) which was recently passed by the Parliament. The Bill’s enactment will make a variety of amendments across 14 pieces of legislation administered by the Commissioner for Consumer Protection (the Commissioner). 

24 September 2014: The Department of Commerce is moving

As of 30 September 2014, the Property Industries Directorate, as well as Bonds Administration, will be located at Gordon Stephenson House in Perth and the Licensing Branch will be located at The West Centre in West Perth. 
 
We are moving offices over the September long weekend and in preparation our office will close early on Friday, 26 September 2014. Please note: 

2 July 2014:  Agents restrained from operating and supervisors appointed

Consumer Protection has been granted supervision orders by the State Administrative Tribunal (SAT) to take control of two Perth real estate agencies over the misuse of their trust accounts and inability to operate their businesses within the Real Estate and Business Agents Act.

The supervisor’s duties include carrying on the activities of the agent for the purpose of winding up the agency. 

4 November 2014

Help ensure first home buyers don’t miss out on the Home Buyers Assistance Account (HBAA) $2,000 grant. Applications must be lodged no more than 90 days after the date that the offer to purchase the dwelling was accepted, even if not all information is available at the time.

The HBAA is a State Government scheme administered by the Department of Commerce (the Department) under the Real Estate and Business Agents Act 1978.

19 October 2014

This Decision Regulatory Impact Statement (Decision RIS) has been prepared in compliance with the Western Australian Government’s requirement for Regulatory Impact Assessment on the proposed options for improving access to lease information in the retail tenancy market in Western Australia.

Public comments and submissions were invited on the proposal, in response to information provided in a Consultation Regulatory Impact Statement (Consultation RIS) released by the Department of Commerce on 11 July 2011. 

Associations Incorporation Bill introduced into Parliament

Consumer Protection is pleased to announce that on 11 September 2014 a Bill was introduced into the Western Australian Parliament to replace the existing Associations Incorporation Act 1987.

This special edition of Associations Info will introduce you to the Associations Incorporation Bill 2014 (the Bill) and explain what associations and clubs should do to keep up to date with its progress.

10 October 2014

Don’t leave it ‘til it’s too late!

Compulsory Professional Development (CPD) is a requirement for renewing a real estate and business agent’s licence or a sales representatives/property manager’s registration. As such, all licensees with current triennial certificates, and all sales representatives and property managers with current registrations, must complete the required CPD activities each year.