Post by NSW Fair Trading

NSW Fair Trading has secured a conviction in a serious fraud matter within the rental and property sectors. On 23 April 2026, the Gunnedah Local Court sentenced Ms Sarah Jane Watts following an extensive investigation into the misappropriation of funds from agency trust accounts and rental bonds. Ms Watts was convicted of two counts of dishonestly obtaining a financial advantage under the Crimes Act 1900. The offending totalled $187,210.64 and occurred over more than two years. The Court recognised the seriousness of this breach of trust and imposed a 12‑month Intensive Correction Order, along with compensation of $135,399.23 to the NSW Rental Bond Board and the affected agency. Ms Watts surrendered her real estate licence prior to sentencing. The employer agency returned the funds ensuring no lasting detriment to customers and have strengthened its systems and controls under an enforceable undertaking to prevent this from happening in future. This outcome reinforces the critical importance of integrity when handling trust funds. NSW Fair Trading will continue to take action to protect consumers and uphold trust in the rental and property sectors. #Prosecution #RealEstate #FairTrading