Entrants in Facebook competitions are being warned that they could be targeted by scammers with the devious aim of stealing personal and financial information.
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.
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.
Car trouble can strike at any time when you are out on the roads, so it’s important to be across your rights before a breakdown or an accident occurs to avoid being taken for a ride by tow truck operators.
Following recent heavy rains, we heard from a number of motorists who broke down on flooded streets and allowed tow trucks to move their vehicles without ensuring a total price was included on the 'Authority to Tow' form. As a result, these motorists are now being charged exorbitant towing and storage costs by the tow truck companies.
Retirement villages are an important part of available housing options as we get older and Consumer Protection is keen to get your feedback about proposed reforms to legislation.
We recently released the final consultation paper in Stage Two of the retirement villages’ legislation reform process in Western Australia, and all interested parties are encouraged to make a submission.
You can provide feedback on the phone, via email or through the post before submissions close on 21 July 2021.
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.
