Consumer Protection

Planning a trip and looking for someone to take care of the pets and water the house plant in the bathroom that’s hanging on by a thread?

If you’re thinking about bringing a house sitter into your home, there’s a few things you’ll need to consider to avoid coming back to distressed pets or missing items.

If you don’t have the luxury of using a trusted friend or family member as a house sitter, make sure you use a registered business, so your rights are protected under the Australian Consumer Law (ACL).

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 9 April 2025), the average price of Perth’s regular unleaded petrol (ULP) will increase by 30 cents per litre (cpl) to 193.3 cpl with Caltex and Reddy Express hiking up to 211.9 cpl; 7-Eleven, BP and EG Ampol up to 209.9 cpl; Vibe up to 209.7 cpl; and Ampol up to 204.9 cpl.

You signed up to a gym, bought the fancy water bottle, and maybe even attended a few classes. But now your enthusiasm for early-morning gains or after-work downward dog is running on empty.

Before you resign yourself to months of paying for a membership you never use, you’ll be pleased to know you are protected by Western Australian law when it comes to fitness service providers.

The Fitness Industry Code of Practice (the code) applies to gyms and fitness centres, and providers such as personal trainers, boot camps and yoga classes.

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 2 April 2025), the average price of Perth’s regular unleaded petrol (ULP) will increase by 32 cents per litre (cpl) to 194.4 cpl with EG Ampol and Ampol hiking up to 211.9 cpl; 7-Eleven, Reddy Express, BP and Caltex up to 209.9 cpl; Vibe up to 209.7 cpl; and United up to 205.9 cpl.

• Bennett Springs man penalised more than $87,000 for unlicensed car dealing
• Continued selling cars just a month after prior conviction for same offence
• Anyone buying/selling four or more vehicles a year needs a dealer’s licence

A repeat offender who illegally sold more than 30 vehicles in 17 months has been convicted and ordered to pay a total of $87,300.50 by the Perth Magistrates Court.

• Gift cards must be valid for at least three years from date of purchase
• Recommendation that cards are redeemed quickly to minimise risks
• Risks include business closures and lost or stolen cards

Consumers either buying or receiving gift cards are reminded that national laws provide for a minimum three year expiry period, but there may still be risks involved.

• Tenants reporting rental properties with major maintenance issues
• Lack of action by some landlords creating unsafe and unhealthy homes
• Landlords warned not to undertake unlicensed plumbing or electrical repairs

Consumer Protection is receiving numerous reports of sub-standard rental properties being leased to WA tenants from some private landlords.

These landlords are failing to properly maintain their properties and carry out essential repairs that are creating dangerous hazards with the potential to harm tenants.

With the busy shopping season upon us, there’s no doubt that gift cards or vouchers can be an easy present idea for those hard-to-please friends and family members. 

While we believe that gifting cash is ultimately a safer option, if you are planning to buy a gift card this festive season, don’t forget that the national rules have changed to give the recipient at least three years to use it.  

• Reports of landlords and agents flouting laws with unannounced visits
• Warning for owners and agents to follow the legal procedures for visits
• Tenants urged to lodge complaints against offending landlords and agents

Consumer Protection is concerned about reports of private landlords and property managers carrying out surprise visits on their tenants, calling on them to comply with their legal obligations relating to accessing the rental property.

Anyone who’s tried to cancel a contract to buy a new or used car may recall being slugged with a fee from the dealer for pulling out of the deal.

Known as ‘pre-estimated liquidated damages’, the fee is supposed to be a true reflection of actual costs incurred by the dealership as a result of the transaction falling through, such as vehicle licensing costs, special accessories that may have been fitted and demonstrable administration costs.