Victoria's consumer watchdog alleges three branches of Barry Plant real estate listed 25 properties for sale in a misleading or deceptive way.

The properties were in Melbourne’s Ashwood, Burwood, Burwood East, Chadstone, Hughesdale, Mount Waverley and Wheelers Hill.

Consumer Affairs Victoria has begun civil proceedings against Melbourne South Eastern Real Estate Pty Ltd, trading as Barry Plant branches in Mount Waverley, Oakleigh and Wheelers Hill, in the Federal Court, for alleged contraventions of Australian Consumer Law.

It alleges the company engaged in misleading or deceptive conduct, and made false or misleading representations, in relation to 25 property sale listings on the realestate.com.au website, between September 1, 2014 and August 25, 2015.

Consumer Affairs will allege the company set price search parameters for its property listings on the website that were less than the appraisal price, and for some of the properties, less than the estimated selling price written on the sale authority.

Federal Court Justice Debra Mortimer has ordered Barry Plant file its defence next month.

The case returns to court on November 17 for an administrative listing before a 10-day trial in June, 2018.

 

By Melissa Iaria