Consumer Protection

Fewer rent increases, pets and minor modifications allowed in most rentals and a new process to resolve disputes form four big changes to Western Australia’s tenancy laws.

You might remember back in May we banned rent bidding and gave more protection for tenants to exercise their rental rights by empowering them challenge retaliatory action by landlords in Court. Here’s what the next raft of changes, starting 29 July, means for renters and landlords.

With Acting Consumer Protection Commissioner David Hillyard

Air-filled loungers were one of the must-have Christmas presents for 2016 and had been heavily promoted via social media and at pop-up stalls in shopping centres. Photos or videos indicate the products are able to be used in water BUT two near-misses in Australian home swimming pools during the festive period prompted drowning risk warnings from a number of agencies including Consumer Protection WA.

• Ticket scalping alert for UFC fans desperate to attend weekend event 
• Warning for resellers about posting negotiable ‘$1234’ prices
• Only buy tickets through Ticketek or Ticketek Marketplace to avoid overpaying

Fans hoping to secure last-minute tickets to the popular Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) 305 event at Perth’s RAC Arena this Sunday, 18 August 2024 are being warned against dealing with resellers on unauthorised platforms and marketplaces.

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.

• Fairer retirement village laws introduced to Parliament
• Exit entitlements to be paid out within 12-months of leaving a village
• Clearer upfront information to protect residents from misunderstandings

The Cook Government is working to make retirement village laws fairer for residents whilst supporting the sector with the introduction of reforms to the Retirement Villages Act 1992 into Parliament today.  

Consumer Protection has issued an urgent warning about a bullying tree lopper who has been threatening WA consumers and has now been charged with harassment and unconscionable conduct.

A Wangara motor vehicle dealer and its sole Director have been ordered to pay a total of more than $80,000 in fines and costs by the Joondalup Magistrates Court for selling used vehicles without a warranty.

Ridgehaven Holdings Pty Ltd, trading as Wanneroo Cars and Commercials of Wangara (now closed), and its sole Director Brian John Whitehead pleaded guilty to 29 charges under the Australian Consumer Law (ACL) and 10 charges under the Motor Vehicle Dealers Act (MVDA).

With David Hillyard, Acting Commissioner for Consumer Protection

Checkout Checks

Each week, our team of compliance officers visit shops across the Perth metropolitan area to see whether prices advertised on store shelves match the amounts customers are charged when the goods are scanned at the checkout. These checks are called price scanning audits and are also done by Consumer Protection officers in country towns to make sure regional consumers are also paying the advertised shelf price amount for goods. 

With Acting Commissioner for Consumer Protection, David Hillyard

Paying large amounts of money up front for nothing in return or hiring a tradesperson without a recommendation, or without seeing references or sighting previous good work are some of the mistakes Western Australians regularly make when having work carried out on their homes.

A travel accommodation website is listing properties for lease without the property owner’s permission, sparking fears that the site is run by scammers.

WA ScamNet is currently investigating the origins and purpose of Travel Advisor Pro (TAP) traveladvisorpro.net but due to early indications that it is a scam, a decision has been made to issue an early warning to protect consumers from potential monetary loss.

Here’s what we know so far…