Updated on 4 November 2024: The charges referenced in this article have been withdrawn by the Director of Consumer Affairs Victoria. There are no findings against Manningham Sales Pty Ltd.
A Melbourne real estate agency is facing criminal charges for allegedly failing to provide a reasonable estimated selling price on an Ivanhoe townhouse.
Consumer Affairs Victoria has launched the court proceedings against estate agency Manningham Sales Pty Ltd, trading as Barry Plant Manningham, as a result of an investigation by our Underquoting Taskforce, following consumer complaints.
Charges against the agency for two breaches of the Estate Agents Act 1980 were filed in court on Wednesday 13 March. Consumer Affairs Victoria alleges the agency failed to provide a reasonable estimated selling price on two separate occasions.
The charges include that the agency claimed it could not find comparable properties that had sold in the Ivanhoe area. The townhouse sold at auction for about 40 per cent above the highest end of the price range.
If you suspect underquoting may have occurred, you can make a report to Consumer Affairs Victoria.