New family and domestic violence tenancy resources

Flowcharts for landlords and tenants  

When a tenant wants to leave a rented property due to family and domestic violence there are certain procedures that tenants and landlords must follow. To help you navigate the process, we’ve created flowcharts that step through what happens at each stage and how to count days to ensure required deadlines are met.

There are two landlord versions available: 

• Lessor chart 4 – When a tenant affected by family and domestic violence terminates their interest in a lease 
• Lessor chart 5 – When the Court orders termination of a perpetrator tenant’s interest in a lease 

There are also two tenant versions available: 

• Tenant chart 1 – Terminate your interest in a lease on grounds of family and domestic violence 
• Tenant chart 2 – When your co-tenant has terminated their interest in a lease on grounds of family and domestic violence

Safe Tenancy WA video now available in Chinese

Consumer Protection has released a Chinese version of our popular animated explainer video outlining recent changes to Western Australia tenancy laws related to family and domestic violence. 

The Safe Tenancy WA – Chinese version video is relevant to tenants, landlords, property managers or real estate agents, and community workers in WA.

Have yet to see the original version in English? Not to worry, it’s always available on the Consumer Protection YouTube channel. 

Faster and easier court orders with the eCourts Portal of Western Australia

Did you know you can lodge Court Residential Tenancy dispute applications online? Use the eCourts Portal of Western Australia to take advantage of new features designed so that you receive your orders and any disposed money more quickly.

To submit an online application for the determination on the disposal of security bond or other Court orders that you would normally apply for in person, you will first have to register for the eCourts Portal.

When you use the portal to start a new document, you’ll answer a series of questions to ensure that the application falls under the Residential Tenancies Act 1987 and can be handled by the Court. 

While you can still lodge applications over the counter, the online system is more convenient, efficient, and less susceptible to errors. And it’s easy too.  

More information is available about the process for using online forms.

Bonds Administration and the eCourts Portal

When making an application through the eCourts Portal, the lessor/tenant surname needs to exactly match the details Bonds Administration has on file. You can check these details on the Record of Payment of Security Bond form. If you don’t have a copy of this form you can request one by sending an email. 

If there is an error in the bond details, email for advice.

It's tax time: Don't get scammed!

WA taxpayers are being warned about scams as losses increase. In the 12 months to the end of May 2019, 43 people reported to Consumer Protection losing a total of $205,250 to tax scams, representing a substantial increase on previous years. Tax scams usually peak between July and December as people are submitting their tax returns.

Information and advice on scams is available on the WA ScamNet website. Enquiries can be made to Consumer Protection by email or by calling 1300 304 054.