OFT congratulated Accommodation Managers

Published: 16 March 2007.

Fair Trading Minister Margaret Keech today congratulated accommodation managers for lifting their game during Schoolies Week. 20/12/05

Mrs Keech said the Office of Fair Trading had received only five complaints from schoolies so far this year. "This result suggests widespread education of schoolies and restricted letting agents in the lead-up to Schoolies Week and compliance operations before and during the celebrations helped minimise conflict and resolve issues when they did emerge," she said. "This is an outstanding result considering the number of school-leavers who participated in this year's celebrations. "School-leavers and accommodation providers should be congratulated for this result. It's an A+ effort." Mrs Keech said all five complaints, which have already been resolved, concerned accommodation issues such as bookings and bond refunds.

There was no evidence managers had been negligent. The Office of Fair Trading inspected 126 premises during pre-Schoolies Week spot checks conducted in Brisbane, Gold Coast, Sunshine Coast, Cairns, Townsville and Mackay. Inspectors issued 34 warnings and 13 infringement notices worth a total of $3000 for breaches of the Property Agents and Motor Dealers Act 2000 and Property Agents and Motor Dealers Regulation 2001.

Mrs Keech said most infringements related to minor offences such as failing to display a licensee's name. "Almost 97 per cent of letting agents inspected this year had a complaint handling procedure in place - a marked improvement on the 87 per cent last year," she said. "Only four of the agents checked failed to meet this mandatory requirement under the Restricted Letting Agency Practice Code of Conduct.

"The Office of Fair Trading has put considerable effort into educating RLAs about their legal obligations and the message is hitting the mark. "Most of the RLAs who were warned or fined are relative newcomers to the industry. The majority of established operators passed the spot checks with flying colours."

Tourism, Fair Trading and Wine Industry Development, Margaret Keech Inquiries: Belinda Carroll 3224 2007 or Brett Creedon (OFT) 3119 0070