NSW CPD update: Ballina Face-to-face, Upcoming Webinar training.
Industry updates: Some millionaires, some struggling: The fall-out of Adelaide's 50% property price hike, Myer family’s Melbourne mansion could sell for $100m+, Qld agent handed 10-year ban and $30k fine, Home prices fall in parts of Sydney as ‘buyer's market’ looms.
Job Opportunities!
NSW CPD update: Face-to-face AND Webinar training dates released!
Industry updates: Making renting fairer in NSW, New laws introduced to improve strata living.
Commercial Updates: Blue Mountains: 'rare' opportunity to invest at the Three Sisters, Airbnb boom hits a wall as landlords slash prices to lure tourists.
NSW CPD updates
Industry updates: Sydney defies gravity smashing out a fresh home price record, Homeowners warned of looming ban on dangerous renovation product, Why it’s a better time to buy a home right now, National Property Manager’s Day!
Job Opportunities: Exciting opportunity for a part-time Property Administration Professional, located on the Sunshine Coast! Interested? Reach out to Gillian Gatt: gillian.gatt@AusDN.org.au
Mothers Day Giveaway Winner Announced!!
Industry updates: Cheap rentals drying up in Townsville, 100 granny flats a week: Families turn to ‘instant’ housing solution
Commercial updates: Brisbane CBD tower being sold by DWS Group could trade for $112m.
On the road again! Stay tuned for our upcoming Face-to-face classes!
NSW CPD updates: NSW Class 1 and Class 2 licensees can now complete their training with us online!
3 November 2023
Industry updates: NSW strata sector updates October 2023 // NSW Government introduces strata sector reforms, extends existing property services commissioner role // National Association of Renters' Organisations launches report on principles for strengthening renters’ rights.
Disciplinary action: Former Victorian estate agent convicted over illegal transfers of client funds // Victorian estate agent facing disciplinary action for poor conduct // Western Australia Consumer Protection urges tenants to report racist behaviour after agent reprimanded and suspended // NSW Fair Trading publishes results from underquoting compliance inspections, confirms $52,800 in fines issued.
Legislative changes: South Australian government clarifies further commitments to improving housing outcomes for tenants and prospective tenants // Bill introduced to amend South Australia's Residential Tenancy Act.
NSW CPD updates: NSW Class 2 and Class 1 licensees can now complete their CPD training with us online! Plus more face-to-face classroom CPD options!
WA CPD: WA agents, don’t forget to enrol in and complete your CPD by 31 December 2023!
12 October 2023
Western Australia (WA) Consumer Protection has reported the state’s first case involving the jailing of a former property manager for trust account fraud. After being found to have unlawfully stolen over $140,000 in trust account funds, the agent has been sentenced to serve thirteen months in prison.
It was determined that the agent had made 141 unauthorised withdrawals from client trust accounts totalling $140,744.37, between the years 2020 and 2022.
This prosecution was enabled under amendments made to the Real Estate and Business Agents Act 1978 in January 2020, when the penalty for trust account fraud was increased to a fine of $25,000 – or two years’ imprisonment. Previously, the penalty for this type of offence in WA was a maximum fine of $3,000.
Read More3 October 2023
Industry updates: Consumer Affairs Victoria warns against failure to audit trust accounts // Queensland Residential Tenancies Authority (RTA) continues to encourage tenants to enquire about outstanding bonds // Commercial news: Commercial real estate sector primed for strong growth in 2024, experts predict.
Disciplinary action: Victorian estate agent facing disciplinary action for poor conduct // Former Victorian estate agent convicted over illegal transfers of client funds // Western Australia Consumer Protection urges tenants to report racist behaviour after agent reprimanded and suspended // NSW Fair Trading publishes results from underquoting compliance inspections, confirms $52,800 in fines issued.
Legislative changes: Tasmanian agents, have your say on proposed changes to the Tasmanian Civil and Administrative Tribunal legislation by 4 October 2023.
NSW CPD updates: NSW Class 2 and Class 1 licensees can now complete their CPD training with us online!
3 October 2023
Following in the footsteps of the Victorian consumer protection body Consumer Affairs Victoria (CAV), NSW Fair Trading has also conducted and completed its own investigation into underquoting in the NSW (Sydney) property market. Some inspections were carried out undercover.
Read More12 September 2023
In a media release today, Consumer Affairs Victoria (CAV) has highlighted the consequences faced by agencies that fail to conduct audits of their trust accounts within the required annual period. CAV uses the example of recent legal action being taken against an agency after its directors failed to audit their trust account over several years, despite receiving reminders, a warning and infringement notices from CAV.
Agencies operating within Victoria must audit their client trust accounts within three months after 30 June every financial year.
Read More8 September 2023
Western Australia (WA) Consumer Protection has announced on its website today that it has taken action against a Victoria Park real estate agent for sending an email “littered with racist and offensive language“ to their former tenants regarding the disposal of their security bond.
The agent was reprimanded and personally suspended by the WA State Administrative Tribunal for eight months from 1 September 2023.
WA Consumer Protection reports that the offending email centred around the agent’s harmful and racist views towards persons of Indian background.
Please note: The text within contains references/quotes to the suspended agent’s comments and may cause offence or distress to some readers.
Read More7 September 2023
Consumer Affairs Victoria (CAV) has reported on a court outcome today concerning the actions of a former real estate agent who, in a series of small transfers, stole nearly $75,000 of their clients’ money from the agency trust account.
The agent was found guilty of two charges encompassing 941 instances of causing a deficiency in a trust account or the fraudulent conversion of funds for the agent’s own use. As a result, the agent was ordered to pay $74,613 in compensation to the Victorian Property Fund and has been sentenced to a 12-month community corrections order, requiring them to complete 200 hours of community service.
Read More4 September 2023
An estate agent in Victoria is alleged to have failed to have their trust accounts audited on a yearly basis for several years, according to Consumer Affairs Victoria (CAV) in a media release published today.
Consumer Affairs Victoria Director Nicole Rich commented on the issue, stating, ‘real estate agents operate in a position of trust within the community. They’re responsible for facilitating the biggest financial undertakings many people make in their lifetime - buying their own home,’ and 'Consumer Affairs Victoria will continue to investigate and take action against agents who break that trust and tarnish the industry’s reputation'.
Read More
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In the spirit of reconciliation, Macdonald Education acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of country throughout Australia and their connections to land, sea and community. We pay our respect to their Elders past and present and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples today.
