Consumer Protection

If you’re a tenant who’s lost their job in the coronavirus crunch, you may be wondering how to afford what’s likely the household’s biggest weekly expense – the rent.

To relieve some of the burden, the State Government has announced a $30 million residential rental relief scheme, which will see payments equivalent of four weeks’ rent up to a maximum of $2000 granted to landlords on behalf of tenants in financial strife due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Tenants can apply for the grant online, however there are some things they should know before taking that step.

Heating appliances will soon be emerging from hibernation as cooler weather sets in, particularly with many of us working from home this winter.

If you are using a gas heater, our colleagues at Building and Energy have issued a timely warning about the dangers of exposure to carbon monoxide, which can leak from faulty, poorly maintained or misused gas appliances.

• Framework for rent relief negotiations between commercial tenants and landlords
• Code applies to small businesses with turnover of less than $50 million a year
• Landlords required to respond to written requests from tenants in 14 days

The McGowan Government has introduced a new code of conduct to help commercial tenants and landlords reach agreements about rent during the COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic.

Winter has officially arrived and many of us have already dragged out the winter woollies, electric blankets and hot water bottles, but it’s important to make sure we are using these items safely.

Electric blankets, hot water bottles, heat (or wheat) packs and children’s sleepwear are just some of the winter items that can pose an injury risk if they are old, worn or not used properly.

As with any product – but particularly products that can cause scalds, burns or fires – consumers should always follow user guides.

We all know that clean hands are one of the best ways to guard against viruses, so it’s little surprise that hand sanitiser has become a must-have item during the COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic.

With many households and schools now using hand sanitiser as part of their daily routines, it’s important to remember these products should be treated with extra caution especially around children. 

Most alcohol-based sanitisers contain upwards of 60 per cent alcohol content, meaning just a couple of mouthfuls can be enough to poison a child.

A new mandatory code of practice for Western Australia's prepaid funeral industry has been approved by the McGowan Government that aims to safeguard the estimated $170 million being held to pay for future funerals.

The new code, which comes into effect on March 1, 2021, will ensure that the funds will be managed within secure investments under the name of the client until they are required.

Many people worry about leaving their family with a large debt when they depart this world, so the option of paying for your funeral upfront before you need it has become increasingly popular in recent years.

So popular in fact, there is currently estimated to be around $170 million in pre-paid funeral funds invested by funeral organisers in Western Australia awaiting the day they’re needed.

WA’s ageing population means that figure is likely to grow further, so the State Government has stepped in to introduce some safeguards in the form of a new mandatory code of practice.

The way we shop may have changed forever following the COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic.

Life in lockdown meant cash transactions plummeted in favour of a number of contactless payment methods, including buy-now, pay-later schemes.

Often described as the ‘modern-day lay-by’, buy-now, pay-later arrangements allow you to receive goods and then pay off the amount in instalments further down the track. Unlike lay-by, the item is available to you straight away.