With Acting Consumer Protection Commissioner David Hillyard
Avoid pre-holiday blues – buying travel tips
The recent collapse of a Perth travel agent highlighted that some Western Australians were unaware there is no longer a licensing system for travel agents and that the associated compensation scheme does not exist anymore.
With Acting Commissioner for Consumer Protection David Hillyard
Watching The Block might have inspired you to get cracking on some home renovations but unlike the TV show contestants you won’t have access to host Scotty’s ‘black book of trades’. So, how do you go about finding trustworthy, reliable tradespeople who’ll do a good job for the right price? We’ve got some tips to help you avoid tradie trouble.
With Acting Commissioner for Consumer Protection, David Hillyard
Tenancy laws in WA are under review in a bid to support victims of family violence who live in rental homes. It’s your chance to have a say because community feedback is now invited.
An options paper has been released outlining proposed amendments to the Residential Tenancies Act that are designed to complement the Restraining Orders and Related Legislation Amendment (Family Violence) Bill 2016, which was introduced into Parliament in September this year.
With Acting Consumer Protection Commissioner David Hillyard
Summer is upon us, school's out and thousands of families will be taking time out to go on holidays. While we want everyone to relax and have fun, we also want the holiday to be safe, particularly for children.
If you have booked short-stay accommodation, we have a list of safety checks you should carry out as soon as you arrive.
With Acting Consumer Protection Commissioner David Hillyard
The average Australian will spend $599 on presents this Christmas, according to a Commonwealth Bank survey of consumers. That’s up from $475 in 2015.
Gift loved ones not retailers
With Acting Consumer Protection Commissioner David Hillyard
If you’re buying a car any time soon we have a message we’d like to drive home. Consumer Protection has concerns about the value of add-ons being sold to people purchasing motor vehicles in Western Australia.
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.
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.
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.
With Acting Commissioner for Consumer Protection David Hillyard
If you’re a parent or carer, it’s highly likely you’ve heard all about, or seen too much of, ‘fidget spinners’. Alternatively, you may have noticed the novelty items for sale online or at stalls in shopping centres and we know there are also promotional giveaways where you get them for free. For anyone who isn’t sure what they are, the small devices have a circle in the centre and either two or three outer points you spin while holding middle.
