Consumer Protection

It’s no secret there is a significant shortage of rental properties in Western Australia right now. But two incentive schemes to convert short-term rental accommodation and vacant properties into long-term rentals has seen hundreds of West Aussies find a home.

In the past 12 months more than 450 properties have been successfully converted into long-term rentals. That’s hundreds of families, couples, retirees and regional workers who now have a secure lease on a home for at least 12 months.

Motorists in Perth and Mandurah are advised to fill up now if they need to, with petrol prices set to rise tomorrow. After today motorists will likely have to wait a week before petrol prices are again at the bottom of the price cycle.

FuelWatch reports that, from 6am tomorrow (Wednesday 11 December 2024), the average price of Perth’s regular unleaded petrol (ULP) will increase by 35 cents per litre (cpl) to 194.3 cpl with Caltex hiking up to 211.9 cpl; Ampol, EG Ampol, 7-Eleven, Coles Express/Reddy Express and BP up to 209.9 cpl; Vibe up to 209.7 cpl; and United up to 198.5 cpl.

• Fake tradies targeting households with dodgy roof, driveway and spray services
• Use high-pressure sales tactics and break door-to-door trading laws
• Reports so far received from consumers in Perth and now South West

An alert has been issued to homeowners to watch out for a new band of fake tradies travelling around WA, as five households so far report paying $49,300 for shoddy roof and driveway restorations, and spray-painting work.

Motorists in Perth and Mandurah are advised to fill up now if they need to, with petrol prices set to rise tomorrow. After today motorists will likely have to wait a week before petrol prices are again at the bottom of the price cycle.

Going to court can be daunting for both tenants and landlords. However, the introduction of a dispute resolution process, known as "Commissioner Determinations," has made it easier for people to resolve disputes over keeping a pet and making minor changes to rental homes without the stress of a courtroom battle.

Since July last year, tenants have been able to keep a pet and make minor modifications to their rental homes, with the landlord only allowed to refuse under specific circumstances.

• Inspections reveal some dealers not complying with repairable write-off rules
• Up to $2,000 fines apply for using wrong forms or providing inaccurate information 
• Advice for consumers to ask questions and report non-compliance

Consumer Protection has sounded a warning for motor vehicle dealers to ensure they are complying with tighter regulations on the sale of repairable write-offs or face penalties, after inspections to date revealed mixed levels of compliance.

Motorists in Perth and Mandurah are advised to fill up now if they need to, with petrol prices set to rise tomorrow. After today motorists will likely have to wait a week before petrol prices are again at the bottom of the price cycle.

• Grants extended to incentivise short-stay and vacant properties to be added to the long-term rental market
• More than 400 new rental homes already created under the successful schemes
• Eligibility expanded to include newer short-stay properties
• Applications for Phase 2 of both schemes to open on 4 November 2024

As part of the Cook Government's ongoing reforms to boost housing supply and deliver more long-term rental properties, two innovative incentive schemes which have already provided hundreds of homes for Western Australians have been extended.