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Complaints and Problem Resolution

If you have a complaint or problem with your park management, there are a number of steps to take, in thiis order.

  1. Meet with Management - Ask for an appointment to speak to the manager at a good time rather than catching him or her on the hop in the middle of another job.  A calm, reasoned and patient approach is more likely to get a result than an angry one. They are after all in many cases only employees and might have to refer to a higher authority. Work out what you want to say and say it clearly.If necessary it is a good idea to take along Pictures of t he problem eg (leaking pipe, tree on roof, something blocking a road, maintenance issue in the grounds, etc).  If it is a recurring problem, take pictures of as many incidents as you can. We recommend putting complaints in writing as proof that a complaint has been made. A clear written statement about what you think needs to be repaired or dealt with. List the dates this or these incidents happened, if possible with the names of others who have witnessed it.  Keep copies yourself.  If you have a positive suggestion about how a problem could be fixed, say it.  Think of it this way: The manager needs your help to convince the Park Owner to authorise the cost of repairs or upgrades.  
     

  2. Invlolve the PLC - Take your problem to the Park Liaison Committee. Provide all the details that you gave to the manager. The PLC will either support your position and add an extra pressure on the manager or not support you, a sign that maybe you need to review your position.
     

  3. Approach Consumer Protection - Consumer Protection is primarily a conciliation service.  They can only help to talk the problem through with the operator and they have no power to enforce anything.  NOTE:  It is up to the affected individual to lodge the complaint as it cannot be done by a third party.  Consumer Protection’s voluntary conciliation service attempts to help consumers and traders resolve disputes as an alternative to going to Court.  You can call them on 1300 304054 and discuss your concerns with the helpful Consumer Protection Advisers who are fully cognizant of our Act.  We recommend that you clearly document your concerns and collect all the facts you can before ringing.  You also need to try to resolve your dispute prior to lodging a complaint.  Alternatively, you can post or email your forms to the Consumer Protection office. The following guide describes how the process works and the next link is for a complaint form: Simply put, Conciliation Officers will contact the trader and try to settle the dispute through negotiation.  They cannot force a trader to agree to a settlement, make payments to you, undertake repairs, or provide additional services.  It must be understood that at times parties either cannot or will not agree.  In this case the complainant can take the matter to either the Magistrates Court or State Administrative Tribunal (SAT), whichever is appropriate.  Consumer Protection will not attempt further conciliation if in their opinion the operator has made a reasonable offer which has been rejected.  Only as a last resort will they prosecute operators who break the law.
     

  4. State Administrative Tribunal (SAT) - You can bypass Consumer Protection and go straight to SAT, which is the ultimate authority.  As a long-stay resident of a residential park you have the legislated right to contest decisions of your village manager. Any behaviour by your manager/Park Owner which can be deemed "harsh or unfair" can be contested through an application with the State Administration Tribunal.  The process is less formal than the Court system and guidance is available.    For more information visit www.sat.justice.wa.gov.au. Be aware that you need to tell them which part of the Act or Regulations is not being adhered to or broken.  These documents can be downloaded from HERE

References:
 

Complaints and conciliation: a guide for consumers | Department of Mines, Industry Regulation and Safety (commerce.wa.gov.au)

 

Consumer Protection Complaint Online

https://www.wa.gov.au/service/business-support/consumer-protection/lodge-consumer-complaint

Consumer Protection Checklist

https://www.commerce.wa.gov.au/consumer-protection/consumer-complaint-checklist

Consumer Protection staff organise regular proactive compliance visits to licensed or registered people throughout the state.  The visits aim to ensure the laws are followed, help educate what the laws means on a practical level and provide information about changes.  

Sample Letters of Complaint

Here is a set of letters in MS Word format that can be used as the basis for lodging a formal complaint with management. It is important to keep to the facts as you know them and to keep emotions out of it, other than to say how the incident or situation makes you feel.

Each letter is a guide only, and needs to be modfied to suit the situation.

Complain About a Park Employee

Complain About Tree Issues

Complain About Another Resident 

Request a Refund of Supply Charges

© 2025 by Park Home Owners Association WA Inc

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