Latest news with #ConsumerProtectionLaw
Muscat Daily
5 days ago
- Business
- Muscat Daily
Vehicle repair shop fined RO1,000 for violating consumer law
Muscat – The Primary Court in the wilayat of Barka has issued a judicial ruling against a vehicle repair establishment for violating the Consumer Protection Law, sentencing two employees to a total fine of RO1,000. According to the Consumer Protection Authority (CPA), the ruling stems from a complaint filed by a consumer who contracted the establishment to repair his vehicle for RO40, with an agreement that the work would be completed within four days. However, the establishment failed to meet the agreed timeframe and continued to delay the repair, prompting the consumer to escalate the matter to the CPA. Following standard legal procedures, the authority referred the case to the Public Prosecution, which launched an investigation and subsequently forwarded the case to the court. The court found the two employees guilty and imposed a fine of RO500 on each, in addition to requiring them to cover the costs of the criminal proceedings. The civil aspect of the complaint has been referred to the competent court for further adjudication. The CPA reaffirmed its commitment to protecting consumer rights and urged all businesses to comply fully with the provisions of Royal Decree No. 66/2014 and its executive regulations. It warned that legal action will be taken against any party found in breach of consumer protection law.
Muscat Daily
11-06-2025
- Business
- Muscat Daily
Firm fined RO2,200 for failing to provide services: CPA
Muscat – The Primary Court in the wilayat of Barka has ruled against a commercial establishment, convicting two of its representatives for violating the Consumer Protection Law. The court imposed a fine of RO2,200 and ordered a refund of RO470 to a consumer. The case followed a complaint by a customer who had purchased a refrigerator for RO470 and later discovered it was defective, failing to cool properly. Despite repeated attempts to contact the establishment for inspection or replacement, the consumer received no response. The Consumer Protection Authority (CPA) intervened and referred the matter to the Public Prosecution, which forwarded it to the court. After reviewing the case, the court found the two representatives guilty of failing to provide the service properly and of issuing an invoice not written in Arabic, both violations of the Consumer Protection Law issued under Royal Decree No 66/2014. Each representative was fined RO600 for the first offence and RO500 for the second. The court ruled that the fines would be suspended if the consumer was refunded within one month. The defendants were also ordered to pay legal expenses. In civil terms, the contract between the parties was rescinded, and the court ordered the defendants to return the full purchase amount of RO470. The CPA reaffirmed its ongoing commitment to protecting consumer rights and urged all businesses to comply with relevant laws and regulations.
Daily Tribune
07-06-2025
- Business
- Daily Tribune
Shura panel holds 36 meetings to scrutinise budget and tax bills
Thirty-six meetings kept Shura's Financial and Economic Affairs Committee busy during its latest legislative session, with much of its attention fixed on the 2025–2026 state budget and a series of economic bills. Eight of those sittings were held jointly with members of the Council of Representatives and the government, as the two chambers worked through the details of the upcoming national budget. According to figures compiled by the Council's General Secretariat, the committee examined two decree-laws, reviewed 11 draft bills, and assessed four sets of final accounts and financial statements. Sixteen reports were completed and forwarded to the Council Bureau for inclusion in public sittings. It also issued five economic and financial opinions related to draft legislation examined by other panels, as permitted under Article 21 of the Council's internal rules. Among the decree-laws reviewed was Decree-Law No. 19 of 2023, amending the legislation that established the Bahrain National Oil Company in 1999. The second, Decree-Law No. 11 of 2024, introduced measures for taxing multinational enterprises operating in the country. The committee's work on draft legislation included a proposed amendment to Article 1 of the 2006 law concerning the Future Generations Reserve Fund. It also reviewed Bahrain's agreements with the United Arab Emirates and Hong Kong to prevent double taxation and deter tax avoidance. Further bills addressed a revised agreement for the second stage of the Al Dur water transmission project, a draft law on taxing outward remittances from expats, and a consolidated proposal combining two versions of that same tax. Amendments to the 1987 Commercial Law were also considered, along with the proposed 2025–2026 budget law and revisions to the 1977 legislation on development bonds. The committee also studied a draft law ratifying Bahrain's agreement with the Islamic Development Bank to fund the new 400 kV Jasra Power Station, changes to the 2016 law on standards and metrology, and the proposed Secured Transactions Law. On matters of public finance, the committee reviewed the state's final accounts for the financial years ending December 2022 and 2023, along with implementation reports for the same period. It examined the Ministry of Finance's statements on budget transfers across government bodies. The audited financial statements of the Shura Council for 2024 were also reviewed, together with the 2023 financial report for the Unemployment Insurance Account, as approved by the Social Insurance Organisation's board. Two legislative proposals were also on the agenda. The first, submitted by Lina Habib, Dr Jehad Al Fadhel, Dalal Jassim Al Zayed, Hala Ramzi, and Hesham Al Qassab, sought changes to the 2012 Consumer Protection Law. The second, put forward by Dr Fatima Al Kooheji, Dr Mohammed Ali, Redha Faraj, Hala Ramzi, and Ijlal Isa Bubshait, called for the removal of Article 14 from the 1987 Commercial Law.
Yahoo
03-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Home365 settles with Pennsylvania attorney general over maintenance delays
This story was originally published on Multifamily Dive. To receive daily news and insights, subscribe to our free daily Multifamily Dive newsletter. Pennsylvania Attorney General Dave Sunday has reached a settlement with Lancaster, Pennsylvania-based Home365 LLC, regarding its management platform and alleged delayed responses to maintenance requests, according to a news release from Sunday's office on May 27. Home365 LLC is an ownership entity associated with San Jose, California-based multifamily property manager and investment broker Home365. The company uses a proprietary artificial intelligence-based platform to automate property and investment management, including maintenance requests and assignments, according to the company website. The attorney general said that consumers have complained that Home365's platform was responsible for delays responding to maintenance requests and for leasing properties that had not been inspected and were unsafe, according to the release. It alleged that the company violated the state's Unfair Trade Practices and Consumer Protection Law by failing to provide safe habitation to customers, according to the settlement, filed in the Allegheny County Court of Common Pleas on May 22. These include utility services, such as heat and water, and timely repairs. It also claims that the company failed to return tenants' security deposits in violation of Pennsylvania's Landlord and Tenant Act, according to the settlement. 'As artificial intelligence finds its way into many aspects of modern society, it is imperative that those choosing to use this new technology ensure it is working effectively,' Sunday said in the release. 'This company left many tenants waiting for fixes to water and sewage leaks and structural flaws, and failed to return security deposits to others.' Under the terms of the settlement, signed by Home365 CEO Daniel Shaked, the company must pay $45,000 to the attorney general's office, including $30,000 in restitution to its renters and $15,000 in additional costs, set aside for public protection and educational purposes, according to the settlement. These refund checks will range from $375 to $10,450, according to the attorney general. In addition to this fee, Home365 must also: Fully comply with the Consumer Protection Law and Landlord Tenant Act. Inspect properties it plans to lease before making them available to customers and ensure they are approved for occupancy by local authorities. Maintain its properties in a safe and habitable condition. Provide and staff an email and telephone number for maintenance requests. Respond to emergency requests within 24 hours. Return security deposits in accordance with the law. Home365 is currently active in 18 cities across nine states, including nine Pennsylvania metropolitan areas, according to the company website. Approximately 6,000 of its properties are in Pennsylvania, following the company's acquisition of Lancaster-based SlateHouse Property Management and Realty in 2021, according to court documents. The company did not respond to a request for comment from Multifamily Dive. Sign in to access your portfolio
Muscat Daily
01-06-2025
- Automotive
- Muscat Daily
Consumer authority recovers over RO7,800 in vehicle shipping dispute
Muscat – The Directorate General of Consumer Protection in North Batinah has successfully mediated a settlement between a consumer and a shipping and customs clearance company, resulting in the recovery of over RO7,800 for the consumer. The case involved a complaint filed by a consumer who had contracted the company to purchase and ship a vehicle from the United States to Oman. Despite paying all agreed amounts, the company delayed delivery of the vehicle by a month after it had arrived at Sohar Port. This delay led to the accumulation of additional customs fees, which the company then demanded from the consumer – despite no such clause being included in their agreement. Following the complaint, the directorate launched an investigation and initiated administrative procedures. The inquiry confirmed the company's failure to deliver the vehicle on time, in violation of contractual terms. After negotiations, the company agreed to compensate the consumer. The authority emphasised that such efforts are part of its ongoing commitment to protecting consumer rights and ensuring providers adhere to contractual obligations. It cited Article 19, Clause 5 of the executive regulations of the Consumer Protection Law (Royal Decree No. 66/2014), which prohibits providers from delaying delivery of goods or completion of services beyond the agreed time. The Consumer Protection Authority reiterated its call for businesses to comply with the law and uphold their responsibilities, thereby safeguarding the rights of consumers across the sultanate.
