Tuesday, October 13, 2009

Consumer Affairs Victoria (CAV) Director Dr Claire Noone is warning Victorians about rooming house business Northern Suburbs Accommodation Centre.

“It is alleged operators of this business may be involved in false, misleading and deceptive conduct regarding rooming houses,” Dr Noone said.

Consumers should avoid dealing with any person claiming to be carrying on business in the name of Northern Suburbs Accommodation Centre as any person operating under this name may be in breach of provisions of the Fair Trading Act 1999.

Australian Securities and Investments Commission cancelled the registration of Northern Suburbs Accommodation Centre Pty Ltd on 20 March 2009, which means it is no longer a legal entity and cannot carry on a business.

“CAV is investigating the conduct of this business and will take appropriate enforcement action should these enquiries reveal breaches of the Business Names Act 1962 or the Fair Trading Act 1999,” Dr Noone said.

CAV is committed to working with local government and community agencies to improve protection for vulnerable and disadvantaged people.

“CAV’s new Rooming House Blitz Team works with local councils to ensure rooming houses are registered and up to standard and to coordinate integrated inspections of rooming houses.

“To date we have conducted more than 125 inspections of suspected unregistered rooming houses across Victoria.

“Enforcement action will be implemented against any rooming house operator if obligations are not met under the Residential Tenancies Act 1997,” Dr Noone said.

Any person with information or concerns regarding activities and/or rooming houses in general should contact Consumer Affairs Victoria on 1300 365 814, roominghouses@justice.vic.gov.au or via our online form.

You can also visit our rooming house information on the Consumer Affairs Victoria website.