The Consumer Protection Division opened its monthly regional community advice hubs in Albany, Denmark and Mt Barker last month, with the free program set to continue throughout the year.

Chadd Williams, the division’s regional officer for the Great Southern at the Department of Local Government, Industry Regulation and Safety, runs the community services once a month in the three Great Southern towns.

Albany’s latest hub was on Wednesday, and was open for two hours at the Albany Public Library.

Mr Williams invites members of the community to come past the library to ask any questions they have about consumer protection issues.

Consumer Protection helps people when something they have bought, or something they have signed up for, goes wrong.

Problems Mr Williams deals with can range from online scams, refunds, warranties and returns to renting and tenancy issues.

No appointment is needed, and the service is completely free.

The hub will be open between 10am and noon at the Denmark Community Resource Centre on September 2, and at the Mt Barker Community Resource Centre from 10am until noon on September 9.

The upcoming session in Mt Barker will have a special focus on renting issues, including going over your rights and responsibilities as a renting tenant, when rent can be increased and by how much, and what to do if owners and managers aren’t carrying out necessary repairs.

The free community mornings will return to each town once a month until the end of the year.