Licencing

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<p data-reactid="380">A Sunshine Coast real estate agent has been fined $25,000 when banned for a decade after directing tenants' rent into her own account for six months.</p>
<p data-reactid="382">Elizabeth Provan, director of Dicky Beach Real Estate, was found guilty of wrongfully converting trust money.</p>
<p data-reactid="382">She was also found acting as an unlicensed property agent by Caloundra Magistrates Court.</p>
<p data-reactid="384" data-gtm-vis-first-on-screen-6236702_632="1944" data-gtm-vis-total-visible-time-6236702_632="4000" data-gtm-vis-recent-on-screen-6236702_632="4804" data-gtm-vis-has-fired-6236702_632="1">The charges were brought by the Office of Fair Trading (OFT).</p>
<p data-reactid="384" data-gtm-vis-first-on-screen-6236702_632="1944" data-gtm-vis-total-visible-time-6236702_632="4000" data-gtm-vis-recent-on-screen-6236702_632="4804" data-gtm-vis-has-fired-6236702_632="1">Its investigation was launched in August 2017 following consumer complaints.</p>
<p data-reactid="386">The OFT claimed between January and July last year, Ms Provan converted more than $46,000 of rent money to personal use funds.</p>
<p data-reactid="386">She told tenants to deposit their rent into her own personal bank account instead of the agency's trust.</p>
<p data-reactid="390">The sentencing considered Ms Provan’s breach of trust, lack of remorse, and failure to cooperate with the OFT investigation. </p>
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j.ballantyne1990-6AQqhLzZaK

Dicky Beach estate agent banned for a decade

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<h2>Dealing with licences</h2>
<h3>Serious offences</h3>
<p><strong>We will cancel your licence if you’re convicted of</strong>:</p>
<ul>
<li>violent offences (including threats to use violence)</li>
<li>fraud or dishonesty offences</li>
<li>drug trafficking</li>
<li>extortion</li>
<li>arson</li>
<li>unlawful stalking</li>
<li>any offence of a sexual nature.</li>
</ul>
<p>You will have <strong>14 days</strong> to return your licence to us. The maximum fine for failing to do so is $11,780.</p>
<h3>Change of details</h3>
<p>You must advise us in writing <strong>within 14 days</strong> about any changes to:</p>
<ul>
<li>personal details</li>
<li>any aspect of your licence.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>The maximum fine for failing to do so is $11,780.</strong></p>
<h3>Produce licence on request</h3>
<table id="table77016" class="striped" border="1">
<thead><tr>
<th id="table77016r1c1">Offence</th>
<th id="table77016r1c2">Maximum penalty</th>
</tr></thead>
<tbody>
<tr class="even">
<td headers="table77016r1c1">
<p>Failing to show a licence or certificate of registration to an inspector</p>
</td>
<td headers="table77016r1c2">
<p>$23,560</p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td headers="table77016r1c1">
<p>Failing to show a copy of a licence or certificate of registration to a potential buyer, client or other party after they ask to see it</p>
</td>
<td headers="table77016r1c2">$11,780</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<h3>Substitute licensee</h3>
<p>You must follow the rules when appointing a substitute licensee. If you do not, you risk being fined.</p>
<table id="table99699" class="striped" border="1">
<thead><tr>
<th id="table99699r1c1">Offence</th>
<th id="table99699r1c2">Maximum penalty</th>
</tr></thead>
<tbody>
<tr class="even">
<td headers="table99699r1c1">
<p>Not having the consent and evidence of appointment at the office</p>
</td>
<td headers="table99699r1c2">
<p>$11,780</p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td headers="table99699r1c1">
<p>Not lodging extension of appointment substitute licence for more than 30 days</p>
</td>
<td headers="table99699r1c2">
<p>$23,560</p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr class="even">
<td headers="table99699r1c1">
<p>Acting as licensee while you have a substitute appointed</p>
</td>
<td headers="table99699r1c2">
<p>$23,560</p>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<h2>Person in charge</h2>
<table id="table42782" class="striped" border="1">
<thead><tr>
<th id="table42782r1c1">Offence</th>
<th id="table42782r1c2">Maximum penalty</th>
</tr></thead>
<tbody>
<tr class="even">
<td headers="table42782r1c1">
<p>Not having a licensee or registered salesperson in charge of place of business</p>
</td>
<td headers="table42782r1c2">
<p>$23,560 (individual)<br>$117,800 (corporation)</p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td headers="table42782r1c1">
<p>Having a real estate salesperson in charge of a place of business if their conditions or registration prohibit this</p>
</td>
<td headers="table42782r1c2">
<p>$23,560 (individual)<br>$117,800 (corporation)</p>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<h2>Documentation</h2>
<p>You must make sure that you:</p>
<ul>
<li>complete all of your documents correctly</li>
<li>give copies to consumers when the law says you need to.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Appointment</h3>
<table id="table10091" class="striped" border="1">
<thead><tr>
<th id="table10091r1c1">Offence</th>
<th id="table10091r1c2">Maximum penalty</th>
</tr></thead>
<tbody>
<tr class="even">
<td headers="table10091r1c1">
<p>Acting for a client without a written appointment to act</p>
</td>
<td headers="table10091r1c2">
<p>$23,560</p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td headers="table10091r1c1">
<p>Not giving a copy of the appointment to act</p>
</td>
<td headers="table10091r1c2">
<p>$23,560</p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr class="even">
<td headers="table10091r1c1">
<p>Acting for more than 1 party to a transaction</p>
</td>
<td headers="table10091r1c2">
<p>$23,560</p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td headers="table10091r1c1">
<p>Not explaining the relevant details of a sole or exclusive agency appointment</p>
</td>
<td headers="table10091r1c2">
<p>$23,560</p>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<h3>Supply of documents</h3>
<table id="table50978" class="striped" border="1">
<thead><tr>
<th id="table50978r1c1">Offence</th>
<th id="table50978r1c2">Maximum penalty</th>
</tr></thead>
<tbody><tr class="even">
<td headers="table50978r1c1">
<p>Failing to include the warning statement in the required section of a sale contract</p>
</td>
<td headers="table50978r1c2">
<p>$23,560</p>
</td>
</tr></tbody>
</table>
<h3>Disclosure</h3>
<table id="table37835" class="striped" border="1">
<thead><tr>
<th id="table37835r1c1">Offence</th>
<th id="table37835r1c2">Maximum penalty</th>
</tr></thead>
<tbody>
<tr class="even">
<td headers="table37835r1c1">
<p>Non-disclosure of benefit to buyer</p>
</td>
<td headers="table37835r1c2">
<p>$23.560</p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td headers="table37835r1c1">
<p>Not disclosing a beneficial interest to a seller</p>
</td>
<td headers="table37835r1c2">
<p>$23,560 or 3 years imprisonment</p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr class="even">
<td headers="table37835r1c1">
<p>(For an auctioneer) Charging a buyer’s premium on goods connected to a real property without getting the consent of the owner and/or not disclosing a buyer's premium is payable on goods</p>
</td>
<td headers="table37835r1c2">
<p>$23,560</p>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<h3>Commission</h3>
<table id="table42495" class="striped" border="1">
<thead><tr>
<th id="table42495r1c1">Offence</th>
<th id="table42495r1c2">Maximum penalty</th>
</tr></thead>
<tbody>
<tr class="even">
<td headers="table42495r1c1">
<p>Claiming commission worked out on an amount more than the actual sale price</p>
</td>
<td headers="table42495r1c2">
<p>$23,560</p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td headers="table42495r1c1">
<p>Retaining or suing for commission when not entitled (for example, not licensed or not authorised to act)</p>
</td>
<td headers="table42495r1c2">
<p>$23,560</p>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<h2>Trust account offences</h2>
<p>It is in an offence to steal or misuse trust monies. <strong>You risk a fine and imprisonment if you break the law</strong>.</p>
<h3>Trust money</h3>
<table id="table47002" class="striped" border="1">
<thead><tr>
<th id="table47002r1c1">Offence</th>
<th id="table47002r1c2">Maximum penalty</th>
</tr></thead>
<tbody>
<tr class="even">
<td headers="table47002r1c1">
<p>Wrongful conversion and false accounts</p>
</td>
<td headers="table47002r1c2">
<p>$117,800 or 5 years imprisonment</p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td headers="table47002r1c1">
<p>Unauthorised use of trust account</p>
</td>
<td headers="table47002r1c2">
<p>$23,560 or 2 years imprisonment</p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr class="even">
<td headers="table47002r1c1">
<p>Trust monies are not banked immediately (to trust account)</p>
</td>
<td headers="table47002r1c2">
<p>$23.560 or 2 years imprisonment</p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td headers="table47002r1c1">
<p>Banking of non-trust monies to a trust account</p>
</td>
<td headers="table47002r1c2">
<p>$23,560 or 1 year imprisonment</p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr class="even">
<td headers="table47002r1c1">
<p>Licensee does not account to client</p>
</td>
<td headers="table47002r1c2">
<p>$23,560 or 2 years imprisonment</p>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<h3>Audit reports</h3>
<table id="table71648" class="striped" border="1">
<thead><tr>
<th id="table71648r1c1">Offence</th>
<th id="table71648r1c2">Maximum penalty</th>
</tr></thead>
<tbody>
<tr class="even">
<td headers="table71648r1c1">
<p>Failing to appoint an auditor</p>
</td>
<td headers="table71648r1c2">
<p>$23,560 or 1 year imprisonment</p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td headers="table71648r1c1">
<p>Failing to lodge audit report within time limit</p>
</td>
<td headers="table71648r1c2">
<p>$23,560 or 2 years imprisonment</p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr class="even">
<td headers="table71648r1c1">
<p>Failing to lodge a final audit within 2 months of ceasing to be a principle licensee</p>
</td>
<td headers="table71648r1c2">
<p>$23,560 or 2 years imprisonment</p>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<h3>Offences by auditors</h3>
<table id="table00876" class="striped" border="1">
<thead><tr>
<th id="table00876r1c1">Offence</th>
<th id="table00876r1c2">Maximum penalty</th>
</tr></thead>
<tbody>
<tr class="even">
<td headers="table00876r1c1">
<p>Auditor does not file advice immediately of irregularities to Chief Executive</p>
</td>
<td headers="table00876r1c2">
<p>$23,560 or 1 year imprisonment</p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td headers="table00876r1c1">
<p>Auditor fails to notify Chief Executive when denied access to other records</p>
</td>
<td headers="table00876r1c2">
<p>$23,560 or 1 year imprisonment</p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr class="even">
<td headers="table00876r1c1">
<p>Auditor fails to supply report to licensee</p>
</td>
<td headers="table00876r1c2">
<p>$23,560 or 1 year imprisonment</p>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<h2>Inspector's powers</h2>
<p>Inspectors have the legal authority to make sure that you don’t break the law. You must follow their lawful directions, or you risk a fine.</p>
<table id="table25521" class="striped" border="1">
<thead><tr>
<th id="table25521r1c1">Offence</th>
<th id="table25521r1c2">Maximum penalty</th>
</tr></thead>
<tbody>
<tr class="even">
<td headers="table25521r1c1">
<p>Failure to comply with warrant, produce documents or provide information to an inspector</p>
</td>
<td headers="table25521r1c2">
<p>$23,560</p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td headers="table25521r1c1">
<p>Failure to give name and address to an inspector in certain circumstances</p>
</td>
<td headers="table25521r1c2">
<p>$5,890</p>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<h2>Enforceable undertaking</h2>
<p>An enforceable undertaking is:</p>
<ul>
<li>a written promise by a business not to keep breaking the law</li>
<li>an alternative to court action.</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="https://www.qld.gov.au/law/laws-regulated-industries-and-accountability/queensland-laws-and-regulations/check-a-licence-association-charity-or-register/enforceable-undertakings-register" target="_blank">Find out more about enforceable undertakings here</a></p>
<p>For more information from the QLD Government, click <a href="https://www.qld.gov.au" target="_blank">here</a>.</p>
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