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Consumer Affairs and alleged underquoting agency Hocking Stuart, Doncaster, set for mediation

VICTORIA’s consumer watchdog and an alleged underquoting agency have agreed to work towards mediation through the Federal Court.

VICTORIA’s consumer watchdog and a real estate agency accused of underquoting on nine properties will try and settle the case through mediation.

Consumer Affairs launched legal action against Manningham Property Group, trading as Hocking Stuart, Doncaster, and its directors Kenneth John Chappell and Anastasios John Adgemis in December over the marketing of properties in Melbourne’s east in 2014 and 2015.

RELATED: Hocking Stuart, Doncaster, facing legal action over underquoting claims

RELATED: Hocking Stuart, Doncaster, directors engaged to sell most properties Consumer Affairs alleges were underquoted

Hocking Stuart, Doncaster, is alleged to have underquoted nine properties in Melbourne’s east.
Hocking Stuart, Doncaster, is alleged to have underquoted nine properties in Melbourne’s east.

The parties have consented to an order to attend mediation made by Justice Murphy in the Federal Court yesterday.

The case will return to court on October 15 if not settled through mediation first.

Consumer Affairs alleges the agency marketed homes knowing the vendors would not sell, or the properties were unlikely to sell, for a price within the listed range, contravening Australian Consumer Law.

RELATED: Underquoting: Consumer watchdog launches action against Melbourne agency

Another agency alleged to have underquoted, Fletcher & Parker Balwyn, will have its first case management hearing in Federal Court today.

Consumer Affairs launched legal action against that agency in December in relation to the marketing of 25 eastern suburbs homes it claims were underquoted in 2015.

RELATED: Hocking Stuart, Yarraville, and O’Brien, Croydon, admit to underquoting Melbourne homes

RELATED: Real estate agent busted for underquoting house by $180,000

Three other agencies have admitted underquoting this year following a crackdown from the consumer watchdog, which will take serial offenders Sweeney Estate Agents to the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal over alleged underquoting on 15 properties on February 20.

New underquoting laws that would heavily fine guilty agents, strip commissions and require price guides to be publicised are due to come into effect early this year.

scott.carbines@news.com.au

Original URL: https://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/law-order/consumer-affairs-and-alleged-underquoting-agency-hocking-stuart-doncaster-set-for-mediation/news-story/cee08a731edabcbb37c58d39df5fa76e