A Queensland suburb has been crowned the best beach in the world, but home values are a fraction of those in southern capitals and coastal hotspots, with one listed for just $650,000.
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!
28 September 2023
In July this year, the Queensland Residential Tenancies Authority (RTA) launched a campaign in an effort to remind tenants to check for any outstanding bond payments they may be owed. Property managers and landlords were called upon to encourage tenants to reach out to the RTA to establish whether any bond monies were being held in trust under their name.
The RTA has provided an update on their campaign efforts, announcing that over $6.2 million in forgotten bond monies has been successfully returned to more than 6,200 tenants.
Landlords and property managers are encouraged to make use of an ‘amplifier kit’ developed by the RTA to continue to spread the word and reunite tenants with money owed to them.
Read More1 September 2023
Industry updates: NSW licensees in charge: Ensure assistant agents are qualified by March 2024 // NSW Continuing Professional Development (CPD) for multi-licence holders clarified.
Disciplinary action: Queensland Fair Trading charges Cairns real estate agent over 13 offences.
Legislative changes: Further reforms to rent bidding in NSW // Rent bidding illegal in South Australia from 1 September 2023 // New laws around minimum housing standards commence 1 September 2023 in Queensland.
1 September 2023
The Queensland Residential Tenancies Authority (RTA) has announced the introduction of minimum housing standards for all new tenancies from 1 September 2023, meaning that if a tenancy agreement is signed or renewed from this date, the property must meet minimum housing standards. The new laws around minimum housing standards will apply to all remaining residential tenancies from 1 September 2024, providing landlords with the opportunity to bring their currently-tenanted rental properties up to speed with the changes.
The RTA has also released updated forms for residential tenancies to reflect the new laws around minimum housing standards.
Read More11 August 2023
Queensland Fair Trading has released a media statement on its website today, outlining an agent’s requirement to pay over $13,300 in fines and compensation after pleading guilty to a total of 13 charges laid by Fair Trading. The charges relate to trust account breaches and charging clients for unauthorised expenses.
Read More4 August 2023
Industry updates: NSW Government announces change to temporary accommodation access support people in crisis // NSW Government introduces rental commissioner role // Queensland Residential Tenancies Authority reports over 114,000 outstanding bond payments // NSW stock agent news: Sheep and goat electronic ID grants open for saleyards and processors
Disciplinary action: Victorian agents hit with over $500k in fines for underquoting // Consumer Affairs Victoria commences action against agency for practising while unlicensed.
Legislative changes: NSW Government engages community consultation for further changes to rental laws // No-cause evictions to be banned in South Australia.
7 July 2023
Site-wide discount to celebrate World Chocolate Day! 🍫
Industry updates: Over $300,000 stolen from WA real estate trust account by scammers // Update on NSW rent bidding ban compliance.
Disciplinary action: NSW real estate agent sentenced to two years imprisonment following 121 counts of fraud // Former Victorian estate agents representative banned from industry for 10 years, fined $2,500 // Former Victorian agent sentenced for misuse of over $100,000 in trust money.
Legislative changes: Rent bidding banned in South Australia // New laws around rent increase frequency for Queensland commenced 1 July 2023.
Feature blog: ‘Protecting your real estate business from scam activity and fraud’.
1 July 2023
New laws around the rate at which rent may be increased for Queensland tenancies have come into place today. Under the new laws, rent may only be increased once every 12 months. The change applies to all new and existing tenancies.
The QLD Residential Tenancies Authority (RTA) has also advised that they have updated the two Pocket Guides for Tenants and tenancy agreements for general tenancies, rooming accommodation, and movable dwellings. The new forms are available on the RTA website.
Read More20 June 2023
Site-wide ‘End of Financial Year’ discount code!
Industry updates: Scammers target real estate and settlement industry trust accounts // Northern Territory 'Water Plan' announced, providing water security for Territory residents.
Disciplinary action: WA agency fined over failure to act in best interest of clients // Victorian estate agent prosecuted for alleged trust account misuse // Queensland agent sentenced to eight years in jail for fraud // Victorian agent jailed for trust account misuse.
Legislative changes: NSW portable bond scheme and further reform to recent laws around rent bidding // WA Consumer Protection announces changes to tenancy laws // South Australia rental reforms: An update on laws for renting with pets.
Important reminder: ACT CPD due 30 June 2023 for licence holders.
13 June 2023
Queensland Fair Trading and Queensland Police have investigated a Brisbane agent for fraudulent acts surrounding the use of trust account funds. The former agent, who was based in the Newmarket area, has today been sentenced to three years imprisonment by the Brisbane Supreme Court. The agent was sentenced to an additional five years imprisonment for other Queensland Police matters.
Read More5 May 2023
Site-wide Mother’s Day discount code!
Industry updates: NSW Fair Trading's recommendations for the handling of personal information and tenancy applications, Changes to NSW CPD for 2023-2024.
Disciplinary action: Unlicensed individual acting as WA agent ordered to pay over $23,000 in fines and costs.
Legislative changes: Rent increase limits and minimum housing standards for Queensland tenancies.
Important reminder: ACT CPD due 30 June 2023 for licence holders.
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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.
