23/03/2012
Gold Coast City Council has been accused of targeting agents conducting open house inspections by enforcing tough legislation on time limits for signage and opening times.
A principal in the Gold Coast area, who wishes to remain anonymous, claimed that “five minutes before the inspection, [the agent] opened the garage and started preparing the property which he got fined for because they say he opened too early”.
“From time to time the council cracks down on the industry – probably every couple of years,” Mr Newlands said.
“An agent was fined for draping an auction banner over the fence of a property. I don’t know the full particulars but it’s just crazy,” he added.
An agent who claims he was fined $2,000 for having his five ‘open for inspection’ directional signs out two hours before the inspection.
Trevor Hodder, a local agent, met with the council ranger who agreed only to fine him for four signs. The figure was then talked down to $1,000 and finally settled at $375.