Surfers Paradise real estate agent banned for life
Posted by editor (editor) on Nov 19 2009
2009 >>

Surfers Paradise real estate agent Philip Terrance Dodds has been banned for life from operating as a real estate agent in Queensland.

Minister for Fair Trading Peter Lawlor said Mr Dodds, along with his business Enmore Real Estate and Property Management Services Pty Ltd, were permanently disqualified from holding a license under the Property Agents and Motor Dealers Act 2000 (PAMDA), by the Commercial and Consumer Tribunal (CCT) in its decision handed down on 28 October 2009.

“Mr Dodds was also ordered to pay compensation of $1900 and the Office of Fair Trading’s costs of $10,880,” Mr Lawlor said.

“The Office of Fair Trading sought to remove Mr Dodd’s licence due to his history of misleading clients.”

“In making its decision to permanently ban him, the CCT declared that Mr Dodds had a “head in the sand attitude of blaming everybody but himself”.

“Mr Dodds was found guilty of 26 breaches of real estate laws, including mismanagement of rental properties under his control, failure to pay tenants’ bonds to the Residential Tenancies Authority and making unauthorised withdrawals from his trust account.

"Real estate agents are placed in a position of trust by vendors and should never take advantage of this position.

"Queenslanders deserve to know they are dealing with reputable licensed agents," he said.

"This decision is a clear reminder to all real estate agents to act responsibly.

"If an agent chooses to breach the law by deceiving their customers, they risk the loss of their licence, reputation and livelihood.

"The legislation is there to protect businesses and clients, and must be complied with. Licensees caught doing the wrong thing will be penalised."

Consumers can ensure they know whether their real estate agent is licensed or not by doing a free on-line search at www.fairtrading.qld.gov.au.

Consumers with information about breaches of fair trading law should report it by calling 13 13 04 or going online at www.fairtrading.qld.gov.au.

Last changed: Nov 19 2009 at 9:18 AM