Community experiences
Real experiences from people who have been through similar legal situations. These are personal accounts, not legal advice.
Tenant vacated rental property after two-year lease. Landlord withheld full bond claiming carpet damage. Tenant produced condition report from commencement of tenancy showing pre-existing wear and staining. QCAT found landlord failed to substantiate claim. Full bond refund ordered within 14 days, plus filing fee reimbursement.
Consumer purchased used vehicle from licensed dealer. Dealer represented vehicle as accident-free. Subsequent mechanical inspection revealed significant structural repairs from prior collision. Consumer commenced action under Australian Consumer Law s 18 (misleading conduct) and s 54 (acceptable quality). Court found dealer knew of damage history. Partial refund ordered, reduced by fair value of use over three months.
Employee terminated after raising workplace safety concerns with management. Employer characterised termination as redundancy. Employee filed general protections application under Fair Work Act s 340 (adverse action for exercising workplace right). Conciliation at Fair Work Commission resulted in confidential settlement including compensation and agreed reference.
Property owner sought injunction against neighbour for tree root damage to retaining wall and drainage. Arborist report attributed damage to neighbour's tree. However, court found applicant had not followed mandatory dispute resolution process under Neighbourhood Disputes (Dividing Fences and Trees) Act 2011. Application dismissed for non-compliance with procedural prerequisites. Costs ordered against applicant.