BRISBANE - A New Zealand couple who lied about the Queensland investment properties they sold have been hit with fines totalling A$100,000 ($128,393).
Tone Susann Munro, 60, was convicted and fined A$60,000 and Dennis Leslie Munro, 58, convicted and fined A$40,000 at Mackay Magistrates Court on Monday, the state government said today.
The pair sold house and land packages to investors in Mackay in 2007 and 2008, targeting residents through a display stand at a local shopping centre.
The court heard the duo deliberately misled potential buyers to make sales, including telling investors that pools and air-conditioning units were included in their building contracts, when they weren't.
They also lied about a A$10,000 rebate from builders and told buyers the houses would be completed within six weeks, not the actual construction time of four month.
The Munros also falsely claimed they were licensed with the Real Estate Institute of Queensland. Real estate agent licences are issued by the Office of Fair Trading.
Fair Trading Minster Peter Lawlor said it was important consumers only dealt with licensed real estate agents.
Consumers and businesses can check if a particular agent is licensed by visiting www.fairtrading.qld.gov.au or calling 13 74 68, he said.
- AAP
NZ couple fined over Aust property lie
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