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Consumer Protection

Commissioner's Blog: Under the influence

Have you ever seen a social media post with the hashtag ‘spon’ or ‘sp’ and wondered what it meant?

This can often be an attempt to disclose they were paid, given gifts, or provided with other incentives to create the post.

Consumer Protection argues this is a very sneaky tactic.

Last year, the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) conducted a sweep of social media influencers and found 81 per cent were posting content which raised concern under the Australian Consumer Law.

Short-term rental and vacant property incentives extended

  • 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.

Car dealers on notice over written-off vehicles

  • 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.

Commissioner's Blog: New process helps tenants and landlords avoid court

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.

WA-owned independent crowned cheapest fuel retailer for 2024

  • Independent retailers dominate Perth metro’s cheapest fuel in 2024
  • Motorists could save over $1,300 a year by shopping around for fuel
  • Average petrol prices in 2024 lower than in 2023

Motorists could save more than $1,300 a year by shopping around for their fuel, according to new FuelWatch data that showed independent retailers were the cheapest places overall to fill up in 2024.

Commissioner's Blog: Repairs and maintenance in a rental home – who does what?

Finally secured yourself a rental to call home only to discover there’s a few issues that weren’t mentioned on the property condition report before you moved in? Or maybe the hot water system busted a leak and you’ve got sweaty kids coming home from footy training soon?

Both tenants and landlords have rights and responsibilities when it comes to repairs and maintenance in a rental home.

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