Case Studies

See below list of case studies involving property safety.

Organised crime and armoured cars of cash: The dirty money pushing up Australian house prices

14 April 2025

Sherryn Groch

They looked like any other couple at the auction. But the Russians had a secret.

New laws to stem drug dealers, corrupt officials and dirty money from heating up Australia's real estate market

6 May 2024

By business reporter Daniel Ziffer - ABC News

A crackdown on money laundering means real estate agents, lawyers and accountants will need to report suspicious transactions.The so-called "Tranche 2" laws will bring Australia into line with similar nations, and stem the process of criminals converting illegal profits into money that looks legitimate.

Real estate agent accidentally burned down house ahead of open house

20 March 2024

Sarah Keoghan Court and Crime Reporter - News.com

A multi-million dollar home was accidentally burned to the ground by a real estate agent in one of Sydney’s most prestigious suburbs.

Real estate agent recovering in wheelchair after violent dog attack during Broome property inspection

24 February 2024

ABC Kimberley / By Vanessa Mills

Authorities in Western Australia's far north are investigating a dog attack that has left a prominent Broome real estate agent recuperating in a wheelchair with severe leg injuries.

Susan Scardigno shares tribute to colleague Julie Seed week after alleged stabbing attack

27 December 2023

ABC News

An Adelaide woman who was seriously injured in an alleged stabbing at her workplace last week has thanked the community for its support, while paying tribute to her colleague who died at the scene.

NSW landlord ordered to pay tenant $5000 over mould in rental property

30 September 2023

Elizabeth Daoud - National Crime Reporter - 7News

The tenant claimed the landlord failed to repair a leaking roof in the home, which caused a major problem.

Enter at your own risk? Slippery driveways at open home inspections

29 August 2023

By Barry Nilsson

Can agents be held liable for failing to take adequate precautions to prevent injuries to potential buyers from hazards in homes they open up for inspection and any driveway injury?

Strata firm and owners’ corporation found guilty over worker fatality

26 July 2023

reb

SafeWork NSW has warned strata companies to be vigilant about checking industrial gates after a Wollongong worker tragically lost his life.

Landlord's home goes up in flames right before reclaiming it from squatters

25 May 2023

By Georgia Westgarth

An 11-month fight to regain possession of a rental property has ended in flames, with a suspicious fire razing a Melbourne landlord's home.

Ceiling collapses on sleeping woman after it was reported to property manager

27 February 2023

News.com.au

An Aussie renter reported concerns about her ceiling to her property manager for years until it eventually caved in on her sleeping sister.

'Popular' meter reader Kane Minion mourned after fatal dog attack

5 December 2022

Allanah Sciberras

A meter reader was mauled to death in a dog attack on a Queensland property

Hidden problem in Sydney home left ‘perfectly healthy’ woman with dementia

21 August 2022

Ally Foster

An Aussie woman has revealed how she developed dementia and forgot her own name – all because of a hidden problem in her Sydney home.

Aussie's trapped in 'toxic' six-figure jobs

11 May 2022

Sarah Sharples

Aussie industry where bullying, assault and mental health issues are rife

Five-year-old girl falls from second-floor window in Sydney's west

9 November 2021

Freya Noble

A girl has fallen from a window on the second floor of a home in Sydney's west. The accident happened just after midday in Milperra, where it is believed she fell through the flyscreen.

Lawyer Chris Murphy wins $55,000 after suing landlords over mould

13 July 2021

Derrick Krusche

High-profile Sydney lawyer Chris Murphy argued mould in a multimillion dollar Eastern suburbs rental ruined thousands of dollars worth of art, clothing and furniture.

This house was too 'unhealthy' to live in, but David did. Experts say many Australians are in similar rentals

12 July 2021

Katri Uibu

David Billett says his rental property was in such a squalid condition "a rat wouldn't live in it".

Case Study: Can someone sue a real estate agent for not disclosing a water problem?

23 April 2021

Nassir Bechara

The real estate agent was acting as property manager of the premises on behalf of the unit owner (also a defendant against a claim from the law firm's client), pursuant to a residential tenancy agreement. The Law firm's client was a lawful entrant on the premises pursuant to the signed lease agreement when they slipped on a pool of water, which had leaked from the shower recess onto the floor.

Tenant sues over faulty light

12 January 2021

Lea Emery

A GOLD Coast mine worker wants $308,000 compensation after he allegedly suffered an electric shock and was thrown from his ladder when changing a light bulb.

Warning as toddler choked in blind cord tragedy

1 December 2020

Natalie Wynne

Police say a two-year-old girl died when a blind cord wrapped around her neck in a tragic accident on the Sunshine Coast at the weekend.

Single mother of three pleads to A Current Affair for The Department of Public Housing to fix the black mould issue with her home

27 August 2020

Lauren Golman - A Current Affair

Single mum Enisa thought she hit the jackpot when public housing gave her this three-bedroom home but it's been nothing but a nightmare since she moved there.

Property Manager Mauled Savage Dog Attack Central Coast NSW

1 November 2019

yahoo! news 21 June 2019

The woman savagely mauled by dogs inside a NSW home has been identified by local media as Central Coast resident Joanne Hayes.

These Renters Told The Real Estate Agents Their Light Wasn’t Working. Now The Agents Have To Pay Over $300,000

6 April 2019

Hannah Ryan

The apartment's owners and real estate agents sued each other, each saying the other one should cover all the tenant's damages.

Real estate agent dies in freak accident falling from second-storey balcony

19 February 2019

Yahoo7 News

An adored real estate agent and fitness coach who fell to his death from a Brisbane balcony has been described as a “genuinely all round great guy” who had “everything to live for”.

Real Estate Agent Kidnapped In Apparent Double Murder

31 October 2018

The Age

A family dispute over a property sale has allegedly resulted in a double murder and attempted suicide.

Hamilton couple who were told to move out after reporting unsafe asbestos removal offered new lease

13 August 2018

Max McKinney

A couple who took a real estate agency to the state’s tenancy tribunal was only two days after reporting unsafe asbestos removal

Mum's heroic efforts to save girl: coroner

6 July 2018

SBS News

The NSW coroner has recommended changes to smoke alarm laws and a bravery award for a mother whose daughter died after a house fire.

54-year-old woman receives $40,000 after falling through flooring of rental property

1 June 2018

Gerard Malouf and Partners

In around June 2018, a 54-year-old lady was visiting her friend at their rental premises. As she was walking through the dining room, the floorboards gave way causing her body to fall into the hole and become stuck within the hole around the waist.

Australia: A case of a balcony collapse: who is to blame?

21 September 2017

Paul Kozub and Catherine Hing

Australia: A case of a balcony collapse: who is to blame?

Litigious liaisons

17 May 2017

By Nancy Rainbird

Australia is one of the most litigious societies in the world and real estate agents are not immune to claims.

Tenant sues over light fitting that gave severe electric shock

22 December 2016

Tom Cowie

A tenant who suffered a severe electric shock when he touched a live light fitting is suing the landlords and real estate agent, accusing them of not undertaking a $90 repair job despite a visit from an electrician.

Sydney tenant sues real estate agent

23 November 2015

Nassir Bechara

Sydney tenant sues real estate agent for negligence as a result of a slip and fall in rental unit.

Death of baby in Niagara Park

18 March 2014

Geraldine Cardozo and Richard Noone, Central Coast Gosford Express Advocate

Death of baby in Niagara Park balcony collapse prompts building safety warning.

Isabella's death sparks rental recommendation

19 September 2012

Bridie Jabour

The death of a baby, who fell from her father's arms when his foot went through a rotten verandah, has prompted a coroner to recommend an overhaul of the rental industry.

Court ruling spells trouble

22 September 2010

Chris Vedelago

Court ruling spells trouble for investors and rental agents. A recent NSW court decision will push investors and rental agents to take a closer look at safety in their properties after more than $840,000 was awarded to a tenant injured by broken glass.

Man guilty of real estate agent's murder

1 December 2006

The Sydney Morning Herald

A man has been found guilty of the rape and murder of a Melbourne real estate agent while showing him a house for sale.

Case Studies

See below list of case studies involving property safety.

Organised crime and armoured cars of cash: The dirty money pushing up Australian house prices

New laws to stem drug dealers, corrupt officials and dirty money from heating up Australia's real estate market

Real estate agent accidentally burned down house ahead of open house

Real estate agent recovering in wheelchair after violent dog attack during Broome property inspection

Susan Scardigno shares tribute to colleague Julie Seed week after alleged stabbing attack

NSW landlord ordered to pay tenant $5000 over mould in rental property

Enter at your own risk? Slippery driveways at open home inspections

Strata firm and owners’ corporation found guilty over worker fatality

Landlord's home goes up in flames right before reclaiming it from squatters

Ceiling collapses on sleeping woman after it was reported to property manager

'Popular' meter reader Kane Minion mourned after fatal dog attack

Hidden problem in Sydney home left ‘perfectly healthy’ woman with dementia

Aussie's trapped in 'toxic' six-figure jobs

Five-year-old girl falls from second-floor window in Sydney's west

Lawyer Chris Murphy wins $55,000 after suing landlords over mould

This house was too 'unhealthy' to live in, but David did. Experts say many Australians are in similar rentals

Case Study: Can someone sue a real estate agent for not disclosing a water problem?

Tenant sues over faulty light

Warning as toddler choked in blind cord tragedy

Single mother of three pleads to A Current Affair for The Department of Public Housing to fix the black mould issue with her home

Property Manager Mauled Savage Dog Attack Central Coast NSW

These Renters Told The Real Estate Agents Their Light Wasn’t Working. Now The Agents Have To Pay Over $300,000

Real estate agent dies in freak accident falling from second-storey balcony

Real Estate Agent Kidnapped In Apparent Double Murder

Hamilton couple who were told to move out after reporting unsafe asbestos removal offered new lease

Mum's heroic efforts to save girl: coroner

54-year-old woman receives $40,000 after falling through flooring of rental property

Australia: A case of a balcony collapse: who is to blame?

Litigious liaisons

Tenant sues over light fitting that gave severe electric shock

Sydney tenant sues real estate agent

Death of baby in Niagara Park

Isabella's death sparks rental recommendation

Court ruling spells trouble

Man guilty of real estate agent's murder

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