Consumer Protection

With Acting Commissioner for Consumer Protection David Hillyard

The Department of Commerce Bond Administrator figures showed 10 per cent of all residential rental bond lodgements were made late in January this year.

A bond is money paid by the tenant and held in trust for the duration of a tenancy. The Residential Tenancies Act 1987 (the Act) requires that bonds must be lodged  by the landlord or property manager with the Bond Administrator as soon as practicable, and in any event within 14 days of receiving it. 

When we hear about a tragedy – from a bush fire or floods to someone badly injured by a coward’s punch or deaths in a terrorist attack – it’s normal to want to help those affected and giving or collecting money may seem the most practical way to do so. But cautionary tales from donors and collectors highlight the importance of our charity licensing laws.

Consumer Protection is here to help people navigate the correct way to safely go about helping those in need.

• Dealers must now disclose if vehicles they sell have been previously written off
• Penalties apply if a dealer fails to disclose that a car is a repairable write-off  

Used car buyers now have more confidence that the vehicles they purchase from dealers are safe and reliable, with new regulations taking effect that tighten-up sales of written-off vehicles.

From today, motor vehicle dealers in Western Australia must disclose to prospective buyers whether a vehicle under 15 years old is a repairable write-off.

• Parliament greenlights stronger regulation of short-term rental accommodation in WA
• New register and planning changes to balance needs of communities and owners

Laws requiring all Short-Term Rental Accommodation (STRA) in Western Australia to be included on a new register have passed through State Parliament.

• Reforms to tenancy laws strengthen protections for renters and provide more clarity for landlords
• More funding provided to support Commissioner determinations as part of 2024-25 State Budget
• Frequency of rent increases limited to once every 12 months
• Rent bidding prohibited, adverts must state fixed amount

The Cook Labor Government has committed extra funding to support streamlined dispute resolution for renters and property owners, as part of the implementation of Western Australia's reformed tenancy laws that have now passed State Parliament.

Rent bidding is now banned, tenants have stronger rights to fight back against retaliatory action by landlords and undercover officers from Consumer Protection will be checking to make sure landlords and agents are doing the right thing.

Welcome to stage one of Western Australia’s Rent Reforms, which came into effect on 16 May. The changes to the Residential Tenancies Act passed through Parliament last month and here’s what it means for renters and landlords.

• Rent bidding banned in Western Australia as first stage tenancy reforms kick in
• Undercover officers to check landlords and agents are doing the right thing
• Stronger rights for tenants to fight back against retaliatory action by landlords

The Cook Government has delivered on the first stage of its commitment to modernise Western Australia's tenancy laws, with landlords now prohibited from soliciting rent bidding and tenants empowered to challenge retaliatory action by landlords.

As the cost of living continues to pinch, most people are looking for ways to save a bit of money, but some businesses use sneaky tricks to make us spend more than intended.

Dark patterns are tactics used to nudge, manipulate or trick you into spending more than planned or providing personal data that isn’t needed.

These tactics can be used in many situations, but the place you will see them most often is on digital channels such as online platforms, shopping websites and apps.

Unwanted calls and spam SMS can be a source of frustration. Whether it's persistent telemarketers interrupting your dinner or irrelevant promotional texts flooding your phone, there are ways to put a stop to them.

You may have forgotten about the Do Not Call register, which is a free service run by the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA). You can register your home, personal mobile or fax number online via donotcall.gov.au or call 1300 792 958. The good news is you only need to register once.