23 January 2024
A massive question mark is hanging over Australia’s commercial office sector amid uncertainty over the future of office space and dwindling rental yields on office properties.
Read More1 December 2023
The state has officially outlawed the practice of strata communities demanding bonds or fees to keep pets under a slew of reforms that have come into effect.
The Strata Legislation Amendment Bill 2023 (the Bill) makes 31 reforms to NSW’s strata legislation, primarily focusing on the rights of pet owners in multi-dwelling communities.
Read More1 December 2023
Planning a Christmas party or a festive catch-up? Here’s how to ensure no one in your business is left nursing any kind of “unwanted hangover in the New Year”.
The CEO of Real Estate Employers’ Federation (REEF), Bryan Wilcox, acknowledges that “there’s no doubt that some of the most anticipated events on your company’s calendar occur in December”.
But, he warns employers and employees alike to be mindful that “end-of-year celebrations and Christmas Party events also come with some potential legal risks”.
Read More29 November 2023
The Western Australian Government has today introduced legislation into Parliament which proposes a series of residential tenancy law reforms that will directly affect landlords, property managers and real estate agents.
Read More9 November 2023
In a media release on the Department of Mines, Industry Regulation and Safety (DMIRS) website today, the Western Australian Government has announced reforms to the short-stay accommodation sector, to improve housing availability through incentives to property investors.
Under the reforms, the following will apply:
All short-term rental accommodation providers to be required to register properties
New $10,000 incentive for property owners to transition existing short-term rental accommodation into long-term rental homes for Western Australians
Reforms to provide consistency across the sector and clarity on what is required to operate a short-term rental accommodation property.
1 November 2023
In a media release today, the South Australian Government has announced the introduction of “landmark rental reforms” to parliament as part of its commitment to improving housing outcomes in the rental market.
Under the proposed bill to amend the Residential Tenancies Act 1995, changes to legislation would include:
introducing prescribed grounds to terminate or not renew a tenancy
extending the notice period to end a tenancy from 28 days to 60 days
allowing tenants to have pets in rental homes with reasonable conditions
protecting tenants’ information
ensuring rental properties comply with minimum housing standards
providing additional support for victims of domestic violence.
31 October 2023
In its latest issue of ‘Property Matters’, NSW Fair Trading has highlighted various updates and news within the state’s strata sector.
NSW Fair Trading provides updates on the following strata matters:
Strata and Property Services Commissioner to progress strata reforms
Share your views on emergency planning in apartment buildings
26 October 2023
The National Association of Renters' Organisations (NARO) has launched ‘The National Nine: Principles for Strengthening Renters' Rights’ – a briefing report providing expert guidance on the principles for strengthening renters’ rights in Australia.
In launching the report, a webinar event was held to give an overview of the report’s key recommendations and included a panel conversation. The topics discussed explored the challenges experienced by renters as renter advocacy groups and industry bodies seek solutions and identify priorities for a national tenancy reform agenda.
Read More12 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 More9 October 2023
The NSW Government has announced in a media release today that it will “move forward on critical reforms to strata laws this week, implementing changes to make the system fairer and more transparent”. As part of this goal, it has introduced the state’s first ‘Strata and Property Services Commissioner’ role. This has been carried out by extending John Minns’s existing role as Property Services Commissioner to also encompass strata matters.
Read More3 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 More28 September 2023
NSW agents, good news: in addition to the face-to-face classes offered by The College, we are glad to announce that we now offer an online CPD option!
Read More
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