TENANCY issues easily topped the list of complaints to NSW Fair Trading in 2014-15, up from sixth place in 2013-14.
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A total of 46,973 complaints of all types were received last financial year, compared to 45,108 in 2013-14.
Fair Trading Commissioner Rod Stowe said the spike was due to the introduction of a free complaint and information service for tenants, residents, landlords and property managers in December 2013.
"Tenancy entered the top 10 list in 2013-14," Mr Stowe said. "Helping NSW people resolve tenancy problems continues to be a key role for the agency's dispute resolution experts."
Before the service began, Mr Stowe said Fair Trading did receive tenancy complaints, however the NSW Civil and Administrative Tribunal (NCAT) had been the main point for dispute resolution in tenancy related matters.
"The new service has achieved an outstanding success rate of 95 per cent, up from 88 per cent in 2013-14, and significantly reduces matters going to NCAT," he said.
In 2014-15, the service handled 4045 complaints about residential tenancy issues, up from 1522 in 2013-14.
Mr Stowe encourages people to make use of the advice and support provided by Fair Trading, which "consistently delivers better results, is free, friendly and helps ensure a fair marketplace".
Top 10 complaints in 2014-2015:
1. Tenancy\bonds\residential parks - 4045
2. Electrical/electronic/whitegoods/gas appliances - 3079
3. Used cars - 2441
4. House construction - 2282
5. Furniture/furnishings/manchester - 2126
6. Clothing/footwear/accessories/jewellery - 1997
7. Car repairs and maintenance - 1735
8. New cars - 1614
9. Travel/tourism - 1410
10. Property: Purchase/sale - 1082
Residential Tenancy Complaints fact sheet:
http://www.fairtrading.nsw.gov.au/Factsheet_print/About_us/Our_services/Resolving_issues/_Residential_tenancy_complaints.pdf
