From time to time the Office of Fair Trading reviews issues arising in various areas of commerce where consumers and traders are involved.  Public consultation is carried out to help decide whether there is any action the Government might need to take to address any concerns that may have arisen in a particular field of industry.

Obtaining views and suggestions from as wide a range of people and organisations as possible is important. Comments on issues or papers circulated by the Office of Fair Trading are always welcome.

The Minister for Fair Trading has asked the Office of Fair Trading to examine the model strata by-law covering the hanging of washing, to assess whether it is still appropriate for contemporary conditions. The model by-law states that:

"An owner or occupier of a lot must not, except with the prior written approval of the owners corporation, hang any washing, towel, bedding, clothing or other article on any part of the parcel in such a way as to be visible from outside the building other than on any lines provided by the owners corporation for the purpose and there only for a reasonable period."

The by-law is generally adopted as part of a set of model by-laws covering many aspects of strata scheme management. The by-law exists mainly for aesthetic reasons, as laundry items hanging on or from balconies could be considered visual pollution.

Current strata laws provide owners corporations with the choice to adopt the by-law, amend the by-law, cancel the by-law, or give written approval to owners and residents to hang their washing where it would be externally visible.

Have your say

Comments on the washing by-law should be recieved by 5pm, Friday 17 October 2008. There are several ways you can have your say:

Complete our online questionnaire

Or, email, fax or post your comments to:

policy@oft.commerce.nsw.gov.au
Fax: 9338 8918
Post: Strata Washing By-law Review
Policy and Strategy Division
NSW Office of Fair Trading
PO Box 972
Parramatta NSW 2124

If you have any questions about this review, or need more information, call 9338 8955.

Please note that extracts or summaries of written submissions provided to the Office of Fair Trading (including details of the person making the submission) may be included in the report to the Minister.

The by-law is found in Schedule 1 of the Strata Schemes Management Act and Schedules 1, 2, and 6 of the Strata Schemes Management Regulation.

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The Ministerial Council on Consumer Affairs has released a consultation Regulatory Impact Statement on Responsible Lending Practices in Relation to Consumer Credit Cards.

The Paper discusses options to assist consumer choice of card products and protect consumers from lending practices which provide continuing credit at levels which cannot be repaid without substantial hardship.

The Ministerial Council invites comments or submissions on the issues raised and the options to address those issues.

Comments on the Paper should be received no later than 3 October 2008 and sent by e-mail:
policy@oft.commerce.nsw.gov.au

or post to:
Senior Project Manager (Credit)
Policy & Strategy Division
NSW Office of Fair Trading
PO Box 972
Parramatta   NSW   2124

View or download the consultation Regulatory Impact Statement on Responsible Lending Practices in Relation to Consumer Credit Cards in PDF format (size: 655k).

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Home building industry licensing - A review of licensing in the NSW home building industry - final report
Youth and debt 2003
Property and tenancy survey 2006
Reverse mortgage survey 2008
Fitness services (Pre-paid fees) review  - final report (PDF size: 111k)
Travel Agents – National Co-operative Scheme for the Regulation of Travel Agents (PDF size: 71k)

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