Property industry

Topics

Property scams

Identity fraud and scams are increasingly prevalent throughout the community, and the property industry is not immune to falling victim to such events. Bogus sellers Two highly publicised incidents in September 2010 and March/April 2011 resulted in properties being sold in Western Australia without...
Property scams, fraud, and identity checks
30 May 2014

Strata property

Owning and managing strata titled property in Western Australia Strata title is an increasingly popular form of ownership and currently accounts for over one-third of all forms of titles registered in Western Australia. Some strata owners self-manage their property while others employ the services...
Buying a property
21 May 2014

Smoke alarms and RCDs

RCDs Lessors must have two RCDs installed on the switchboard at their rental premises before it can be leased. Energy Safety has more detailed information about RCDs. Smoke Alarms In the case of a fire, toxic smoke, rather than heat and flames, is the most immediate threat to life. As many fires...
Security, safety, maintenance and entry rights
20 May 2014

Media statements

Consumer Protection media statements are available online. Ministerial media statements Media statements issued by the Hon Sue Ellery MLC , Minister for Finance; Commerce; Women's Interests, Leader of the Government in the Legislative Council, are available from the Government Media Office page ...
About us
18 May 2014

Online resources

Consumer Protection provides a variety of online resources: Online complaint form – use this form for property related disputes and complaints regarding goods or services purchased in or from Western Australia WA ScamNet – profiles the most prevalent scams targeting Western Australians and provides...
Online resources
18 May 2014

Fee deregulation for settlement agents and land valuers 2014

Consumer Protection was seeking the views of the community and industry in regards to proposed reforms to the regulation of fees for settlement agents and land valuers. Status: Closed 31 July 2014 We urge all those interested in this area to read the consultation paper and put in a submission by...
Consultations
18 May 2014

Property Industry Advisory Committee

The Property Industry Advisory Committee (PIAC) provides advice to the Minister and Commissioner for Consumer Protection on the regulation of licensed property occupations in Western Australia. In addition, the Committee also advises the Minister and Commissioner on the provision of education,...
Committees and boards
18 May 2014

What Consumer Protection does

Consumer Protection provides advice and information for Western Australian consumers, businesses, landlords and tenants. For individual advice you can contact us . The information on this website can help you with answer a question about: housing and accommodation shopping (consumers) and fair...
About us
18 May 2014

Publications - settlement agents

Consumer Protection regularly produces and updates publications about property industry laws and licensing. The below links will provide you with settlement agent specific information. Bulletins Settlement industry bulletins issue 40 - current Archive bulletins issues 1 - 39 Forms Application forms...
Settlement agents and conveyancers
08 May 2014

Consumer protection licences and registrations - fees and forms

Fees and forms You will find the relevant fees and forms in each licensing area: Property industries Motor vehicle industries Employment agents Debt collectors Mutual recognition Payment of fees Some applications can be lodged online, with those fees paid using the Department’s secure payment...
Occupations requiring licensing
04 May 2014

Pages

Publications

Residential Tenancies Act review Decision Regulatory Impact Statement: Phase 1

READ
This Decision Regulatory Impact Statement (DRIS) is the first phase of proposed reforms in the current review of the Residential Tenancies Act. A summary of each recommendation detailed in the DRIS...
Consumer Protection
Reports
02 Jun 2023

Reminder of the dangers of toppling furniture and large appliances - Real estate industry bulletin 254

22 April 2022 Reminder of the dangers of toppling furniture and large appliances You may be aware of the tragic death of a child in Byford late last year, which was caused by toppling furniture...
Consumer Protection
Bulletin
22 Apr 2022

Reminder of the dangers of toppling furniture and large appliances - Landlords bulletin 60

22 April 2022 Reminder of the dangers of toppling furniture and large appliances You may be aware of the tragic death of a child in Byford late last year, which was caused by toppling furniture...
Consumer Protection
Bulletin
22 Apr 2022

Reminder of the dangers of toppling furniture and large appliances - Tenants bulletin 34

22 April 2022 Reminder of the dangers of toppling furniture and large appliances You may be aware of the tragic death of a child in Byford late last year, which was caused by toppling furniture...
Consumer Protection
Bulletin
29 Jun 2022

Will current COVID-19 requirements affect your business? - Real estate industry bulletin 253

Please note that while this content was correct at the time of issue, COVID-19 restrictions may have since changed. Visit WA.gov.au to find the latest COVID-19 information. 13 April 2022 Will current...
Consumer Protection
Bulletin
26 May 2022

Application to change a nominated supervisor on a demolition licence

READ
Use this form to apply to change the nominated supervisor on a demolition licence.
WorkSafe
Form – application
31 Mar 2022

Guide - A death in the workplace: Information for families

READ
This guide is designed to provide information and practical suggestions that may be helpful to you and others at a time when you are grieving and having to navigate legal and other processes...
WorkSafe
Guide / handbook
30 Mar 2022

Reminder: 2021 audit report due 31 March - Real estate industry bulletin 252

8 March 2022 The deadline for completing and delivering the audit reports for the year ending 31 December 2021 is fast approaching. Agents and auditors have until 31 March 2022 to submit their audits...
Consumer Protection
Bulletin
04 Dec 2023

Managing COVID-19 risks in the workplace

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Employers (or persons conducting a business or undertaking) have a duty under OSH or WHS legislation to eliminate, or if that is not reasonable practicable, minimise the risks of COVID-19 at the...
WorkSafe
Information
18 Feb 2022

Accessing a rental property during a tenancy - Real estate industry bulletin 251

3 December 2021 Accessing a rental property during a tenancy Consumer Protection is aware of some recent cases where landlords and property managers have incorrectly tried to access a tenanted...
Consumer Protection
Bulletin
03 Dec 2021

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Announcements

COVID-19 relief grants expanded to help pay tenants’ rent debt

COVID-19 rent grant updates See the latest announcement on the Residential Rent Relief Grant Scheme for current eligibility and application details. Grant funding to be re-purposed to pay 75 per cent of rent arrears to landlords Assistance to prevent evictions at the end of the COVID-19 emergency period To qualify, landlords must offer existing tenants a minimum six month agreement The McGowan...
Consumer Protection
Media release
17 Dec 2020

Holiday safety consumer alert: Blind and curtain cords can kill

A holiday safety consumer alert has been issued by Consumer Protection following the recent tragic death of a two-year-old girl who was strangled by a blind cord at her home on Queensland’s Sunshine Coast last month. With children spending more time at home over the summer holiday season, the young child’s death is a grim reminder that parents and carers must be vigilant to the dangers in the...
Consumer Protection
Media release
15 Dec 2020

$6,000 fine for property manager who took money from agency trust account (Kylie Jo-Anne Thomas)

A property manager employed by a Mandurah real estate agency has been fined $6,000 and ordered to pay $400 costs by the Mandurah Magistrates Court for taking money from the agency’s trust account for her own purposes. Kylie Jo-Anne Thomas was convicted on 8 December 2020 of making unauthorised withdrawals from the trust account in breach of the Real Estate and Business Agents Act. In August and...
Consumer Protection
Media release
11 Dec 2020

Real estate agency fined for employing unregistered sales rep (HKY Real Estate Pty Ltd / Shane Penny)

An Ellenbrook real estate agency has been reprimanded and fined by the State Administrative Tribunal for employing an unregistered sales representative. HKY Real Estate Pty Ltd was fined $7,000 while the unregistered sales representative Shane David Penny was fined $1,500, in addition to costs of $500 each for breaching the Real Estate and Business Agents Act. Mr Penny held a certificate of...
Consumer Protection
Media release
08 Dec 2020

Real estate agency and staff fined over tenancy bond and account failures (Beaufort Nominees Pty Ltd / Michael Johnson & Co / Benjamin Ryder / Sally Dooley / Daniella Sparta)

A Mount Lawley real estate agency, its supervising director and two staff members have been reprimanded by the State Administrative Tribunal (SAT) over the failure to lodge three tenancy bonds with the Bond Administrator as well as related irregularities found in the agency’s accounts. Beaufort Nominees Pty Ltd , trading as Michael Johnson & Co and Professionals Michael Johnson & Co at...
Consumer Protection
Media release
05 Nov 2020

Costly lesson for landlord over unlodged bond (Anthony Gerlando Scafidi)

The owner of a Wellard property has been fined $2,000 and ordered to pay $740 in costs for failing to lodge his tenants’ bond. At Rockingham Magistrates Court on 26 October 2020, Anthony Gerlando Scafidi pleaded guilty to breaching the Residential Tenancies Act 1987 following a prosecution by Consumer Protection. The law requires a security bond to be lodged with the Bond Administrator as soon as...
Consumer Protection
Media release
03 Nov 2020

Rent grant continues for tenants and landlords impacted by COVID-19

COVID-19 rent grant updates See the latest announcement on the Residential Rent Relief Grant Scheme for current eligibility and application details. Next stage of grant helps tenants and landlords still affected by COVID-19 Tenants who received grant and are still in hardship can apply again Rent relief of up to $2,000 will be paid directly to landlords Western Australian tenants struggling...
Consumer Protection
Media release
25 Sep 2020

Failure to lodge bonds on time costs agency an $18,000 fine (Verse (Aust) Pty Ltd / Verse Property)

An East Victoria Park real estate agency that failed to lodge 19 tenancy bonds on time was fined $18,000 by the Perth Magistrates Court on 18 September 2020. Verse (Aust) Pty Ltd , trading as Verse Property , pleaded guilty to breaching the Residential Tenancies Act by failing to lodge with the Bond Administrator the 19 bonds from 16 properties it managed as soon as practicable, or in any event,...
Consumer Protection
Media release
23 Sep 2020

Commissioner's blog: Short term rentals – look before you lease

If you’ve got a spare room or investment property, you may be considering advertising the space for short-term renting to make some extra money. Or perhaps you’re a local travelling across WA, who’s on the look-out for somewhere to stay that’s different to what’s on offer from traditional accommodation providers. Whatever your motivation, it’s clear that Western Australia’s short-term rental...
Consumer Protection
Media release
17 Sep 2020

COVID-19 residential rent laws extended for six months

Key points Emergency period under Residential Tenancies (COVID-19 Response) Act 2020 extended to March 28, 2021 New Landlord Hotline phone advisory service available Rent relief grant and mandatory conciliation to continue The State Government will extend the moratorium on rent increases and other provisions until March 28, 2021 in an effort to preserve stability and certainty in the rental...
Consumer Protection
Media release
10 Sep 2020

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