Unfair terms in contracts
These can now be challenged under new consumer protection laws which commenced on 1 July 2010. The changes apply to standard forms of contracts for consumer goods or services. Consumer remedies include being excused from compliance with the unfair terms or damages.
Consumer credit
This will now be regulated nationally from 1 July 2010 and while most of the consumer protections remain the same as they were under the code the loans regulated have been expanded to include loans for residential investment property.
Commercial Office Space
New laws to come into effect shortly will mean that sellers and landlords of commercial office space will have to provide Building Energy Efficiency Certificates when selling or leasing
Wills
On 1st March 2010 significant changes to the law commenced relating to what happens to your property when you do not have a will. The rights of a spouse in this respect are improved.
It is important to have a will to ensure it is up to date and takes changes in the law into account so that your property goes to the people you want it to go to and not who the Government says.
New Planning Scheme for the Clarence Valley: Clarence Valley Council LEP 2010.
The Clarence Valley Council has announced that the new planning scheme called the Clarence Valley Draft LEP 2010 will be going on public exhibition from 1 Feb 2010. The scheme, when it becomes effective, can have a significant impact on the right to build a dwelling on some rural land.
This exhibition of the draft will also affect current conveyancing practices and some draft sale contracts may need to be updated and buyers will need to be made aware of
Fair Work Act
This new Federal law commenced 1 July 2009 and makes significant changes to unfair dismissal rights including the time limit to make a claim.
The NSW Government has referred its industrial relations power to the Commonwealth Government.
As from 1st January 2010 the Fair Work Act applies to employers who are sole traders, partnerships or non-trading corporations whose employees are currently covered by the New South Wales industrial relations system. Unincorporated businesses and charities are also brought into the Federal system.
· Employers and employees affected by this referral will generally still be covered by their existing State Award for at least one year.
· However, all workers will be covered by the National Employment Standards from the start.
· No existing employees will suffer a reduction in net pay.