Consumer Protection

Our sunny skies have paved the way for a booming solar panel industry in Western Australia, as many households look for ways to cut their power bills while also reducing their carbon footprint.

Rooftop solar has become so popular in fact, it’s estimated that 300,000 WA households already have panels installed, accounting for one-fifth of the electricity produced in our main network.

Even though there’s a lot to love about this renewable, some consumers have come to Consumer Protection with complaints about poor quality parts, companies going broke and pushy sales tactics.

• McGowan Government to commence phase-out of swimming pools and spas for family day care services
• Stronger regulations to immediately require additional safety measures and training for family day care educators whose residences have pools, spas or water features
• Changes to improve child safety outcomes for the family day care sector

The State Government will strengthen regulations for family day care operators to improve child safety at residences with swimming pools, spas or water features.

Have you ever engaged a dealer to sell a car or caravan on your behalf? This is known as ‘consignment selling’ and the laws that regulate this method of sale are currently under review, with a ban being considered as one of the options.

For those who don’t want to negotiate the sale of their vehicle privately, selling on consignment is a viable option but it comes with risk.

The great outdoors is the place to be this summer – and the same goes for portable gas-fuelled appliances such as cookers, heaters, barbecues and fridges.

WA’s gas safety regulator, Building and Energy, is warning that this equipment must never be used inside tents, caravans or other enclosed spaces. Even if the doors or windows are open, you could be exposed to potentially lethal levels of a toxic gas: carbon monoxide.

When it comes to booking holidays or buying presents online, the terms and conditions (t&cs) matter now more than ever.

This is because some businesses may now have extra policies in place as a result of the COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic that could include how they respond to a ‘change of mind’ purchase or booking.

Your consumer rights apply if the product or service is faulty or not as described, regardless of whether it is on sale or occurs during a pandemic.

Online classified sites are a popular and convenient way for car-hunters to scour listings of second-hand vehicles, but this also makes them a target for scammers.

WA ScamNet has received multiple reports from consumers who have enquired about vehicles being ‘sold’ online at very low prices via Facebook Marketplace and Gumtree, only to receive a convoluted backstory by the supposed seller about the sale.

Renters who have been doing it tough due to COVID-19 may have been worried about what happens when the moratorium on evictions and rent increases comes to an end on 28 March 2021.

In some good news for those tenants and their landlords, the State Government has agreed to pay up to $4,000 off their rental debt under an expanded Residential Rent Relief Grant Scheme that is also aimed at keeping tenants in their rental properties.

Your home is your most important asset, so you’ll naturally want to protect it from unwanted pests like termites and rodents.

While most people will undertake some form of simple pest control on their property, sometimes they may need to call in an expert.

In the past two years, Consumer Protection has received 203 enquiries and 48 complaints about pest control providers, mostly related to the operator not using due care and skill.

With Commissioner for Consumer Protection Lanie Chopping

It’s hard to believe that until 10 years ago there were 17 different national, state and territory laws covering consumer issues in Australia.

They were all replaced on 1 January 2011 with one law – the Australian Consumer Law (ACL), which meant that no matter where they are in this country, consumers can know their rights and traders their obligations.

• Fourth phase of rent grant scheme to soften the blow of expected rent increases
• Grants give tenants and landlords an incentive to continue current tenancies
• Strategy aims to reduce evictions and large rent increases after March 28, 2021

More financial assistance is being offered by the McGowan Government to tenants and landlords with the aim of securing current tenancies when the moratorium on evictions and rent increases ends on March 28, 2021.