NSW Department of Fair Trading

Despite the Christmas guilt you’re feeling after stuffing yourself with too much turkey, you might want to pause for thought before rushing to sign up to a gym.

As New Year’s resolution decision time approaches, NSW Innovation and Better Regulation Minister Matt Kean has warned festive revellers they should look closely at the fine print on their contracts — saying he has heard of hundreds of complaints from disappointed gym-junkies.

More than half the real estate agencies in Sydney's east targeted in a NSW Fair Trading blitz were found to have breached the law, prompting them to cop fines totalling more than $51,000.

About 20 real estate agencies were fined for non-compliance after investigators swooped on 32 businesses across Botany, Mascot, Bondi, Bondi Junction, Kingsford and Maroubra.

NSW Better Regulation Minister Matt Kean said the blitz was triggered by intelligence that suggested numerous real estate agents were not complying with the law.

More than 100 NSW businesses that use manufactured stone for products such as kitchen benchtops have been ordered to stop work or improve their work safety practices in a blitz to combat the deadly dust disease silicosis.

Minister for Better Regulation Matt Kean said SafeWork inspectors had visited 358 businesses since October last year and have issued 114 notices to cease work or improve practices.

Of the 114 notices issued by SafeWork so far, 91 were to manufactured stone businesses to improve processes, personal protective equipment and health monitoring.

NSW Fair Trading is taking action against Android Enjoyed in the NSW Supreme Court after hundreds of consumer complaints and after the retailer topped the complaints register five times.

Android Enjoyed is a Hong Kong-based e-commerce business that sells electronic goods, including mobile phones, tablets and cameras.

NSW Minister for Better Regulation Matt Kean said Fair Trading had started injunction proceedings against Android Enjoyed's parent company Digital Marketing and Solutions Pty Ltd and its director Yuen Ho Wong.

Retirement villages will have to abide to a mandatory code of conduct — and will be policed by retirement village ambassador — in a range of sweeping reforms set to be introduced to the sector in New South Wales.

Described as a "good start" by the Retirement Villages Residents Association (RVRA), the proposed reforms come on the back of a 2017 review into the retirement village sector led by Kathryn Greiner.

Consumers are being warned about an unlicenced asbestos removalist targeting Newcastle and Hunter Valley residents.

Minister for Better Regulation Matt Kean said SafeWork NSW has issued a warning over reports of a tradie quoting cheap asbestos removal work, who only takes cash payments.

“I’m urging all property owners to be aware of an unlicenced trader in the region who is offering quick and cheap quotes for asbestos removal,” Mr Kean said.

Consumers are being warned not to deal with Peter Todd Hynes and Captain Trade Group Pty Ltd, Minister for Better Regulation Matt Kean said today.

Mr Kean said Hynes, previously known as Peter Garay, is an unlicensed trader who was previously convicted, and jailed, for home building offences.

“I’m appalled to hear this trader is out targeting consumers again, especially given his track record,” Mr Kean said.

“I am issuing a firm warning to all consumers: do not engage with Hynes, or Captain Trade Group, and report any issues with this trader to NSW Fair Trading.”

NSW Fair Trading has issued a warning about slick scammers swindling consumers as national Scams Awareness Week kicks off today, Minister for Better Regulation Matt Kean said.

Mr Kean said Scamwatch received almost 33,000 reports of scammers in 2017 who approached consumers, impersonating government agencies or trusted businesses.

“I’m seriously concerned by reports of so many consumers being pressured or scared into giving money or personal information to imposters,” Mr Kean said.