There has been a prevalence of recent cases where developers have reverted to intimidation and bullying to try and control the rights of owners and buyers.
The long and drawn-out saga of Shenton Quarter reached a new low recently when Alceon Group, the financier and now project manager, sought to publicly shame buyers who had spoken out in the media about being forced to settle before the pool on the podium was completed and filled.
Calling the buyers, who rightly sought greater consumer protection, as unneighbourly was designed to cause intimidation and these buyers now feel they have a target on their back. All because they simply asked that the developer finish what was promised.
In another situation, developer DevelopWise at the first EGM appointed the CEO and two investors to the Strata Council and when the owners objected, they were threatened with a defamation case. When AAA stepped in, and with owner assistance, was able to call another EGM, AAA was successful in securing a Strata Council of seven, with the developer no longer a member.
CEO Samantha Reece stated that the increase in developers abusing their powers and subjugating owner’s rights was no longer acceptable.
“Without these buyers, these developments would not have got off the ground and I cannot believe the lack of respect or courtesy that has played out over recent months,” Ms Reece said.
“AAA will continue to highlight these inappropriate behaviours until we see an apt response from the relevant Ministers to step in and back the voters over big business.
“As we head to the election AAA will be focusing on bringing forward the mandated audits from 2026 to 2024 and are currently urging buyers to press pause until these consumer protection measures come into force.
“The State Government wants apartments to become the prevalent housing choice in WA, but without the relevant protection measures this is not, in our opinion, a safe choice.”
Currently WA is the only State not to mandate inspections during construction and Home warranty insurance is not available for four storeys or higher.
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