Property industry

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Whether building, buying, renting, moving to a retirement village, purchasing services or refinancing, you are likely to be entering into a legal contract between yourself and another party. The following information is also available as part of the Seniors housing guide - Contracts and agreements...
Contracts and agreements
Home ownership may not suit everyone's budget or lifestyle so it may be worthwhile considering the alternatives: Boarding and Lodging If you are a boarder, you pay rent to stay at another person's property and meals are usually provided. Lodgers pay rent to stay at another person's property, but...
Buying a property
A Home Buyers Assistance Account grant pays up to $2,000 of incidental expenses for first-time home buyers in Western Australia. These expenses can include: mortgage registration solicitor or conveyancing fees valuation fees inspection fees establishment fees mortgage insurance premiums other fees...
Buying a property
Under a rent-to-buy scheme, the seller makes a rental agreement with the buyer at an above market rent rate. The buyer may only exercise the ‘option to buy’ at the end of the rental period if they can get the finance to pay the balance of the agreed purchase price and have complied with the terms...
Buying a property
Tenants sometimes abandon or leave a property without providing any notice. Before a landlord or park operator take any action, it is a good idea to check if the tenant has actually left. The tenant may have gone on holidays, into hospital, prison, or a residential/aged care facility. If you cannot...
When a tenancy ends
Ending a tenancy by mutual agreement If both the landlord and tenant agree, in writing, the tenancy agreement should end on a specified date, this is also acceptable and none of the more formal procedures (such as issuing notices) need apply. It’s important to ensure both parties sign a clear,...
When a tenancy ends
Buying “off-the-plan” generally involves signing a contract with a developer before: final subdivision approval building has commenced or completed On this page: What can be bough off-the-plan Advantages of buying off-the-plan Risks of buying off-the-plan ‘Off-the-plan’ property contracts Off-the-...
Buying a property
Some licence applications, or documents required in support of an application, are required to be signed or certified by an authorised witness. This should be done in accordance with the Department of Justice’s Information Fact Sheet 3 (PDF) available. You may find more helpful information from...
Occupations requiring licensing
The Land Valuers Licensing Act 1978 (the Act) and Land Valuers Licensing Regulations 1979 (the Regulations) impose serious obligations on the land valuing industry and the way it operates. Failing to meet these obligations can result in the Department issuing an infringement notice, prosecuting...
Land valuers
The Proactive Compliance program assists land valuers in complying with legislative requirements, identifying and rectifying areas of risk, and providing advice. This is achieved through voluntary visits and industry seminars. Proactive compliance visits The visits are designed to educate land...
Land valuers

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Publications

23 December 2020 Rent in advance guidelines Some renters have contacted us recently with concerns about receiving requests to pay more than two weeks rent in advance. So it’s a good time to provide...
Consumer Protection
Bulletin
14 Aug 2024
The Digital DMIRS Strategy seeks to improve the department’s operations and service delivery through the effective use of technology. Some goals of the strategy are to modernise digital systems and...
Corporate
Information
23 Dec 2020
23 December 2020 Amendments to the code of conduct Recent amendments to the Settlement Agents Code of Conduct 2016 (WA) (SA Code) bring the fee disclosure requirements in line with those under the...
Consumer Protection
Bulletin
14 Aug 2024
17 December 2020 COVID-19 relief grant will help pay rent debt On 17 December 2020, the State Government announced an expansion of the Residential Rent Relief Grant Scheme . The phase three expansion...
Consumer Protection
Bulletin
14 Aug 2024
17 December 2020 COVID-19 relief grant will help pay rent debt On 17 December 2020, the State Government announced an expansion of the Residential Rent Relief Grant Scheme . The phase three expansion...
Consumer Protection
Bulletin
14 Aug 2024
17 December 2020 COVID-19 relief grant will help pay rent debt On 17 December 2020, the State Government announced an expansion of the Residential Rent Relief Grant Scheme . The phase three expansion...
Consumer Protection
Bulletin
14 Aug 2024
9 December 2020 Changes to Compulsory Professional Development program In December 2019, bulletin 96 outlined some law changes including those affecting the Compulsory Professional Development (CPD)...
Consumer Protection
Bulletin
14 Aug 2024
9 December 2020 Changes to Compulsory Professional Development program In July 2020, bulletin 225 outlined recent changes to the Compulsory Professional Development (CPD) program . These include the...
Consumer Protection
Bulletin
14 Aug 2024
13 November 2020 Consumer Protection WA webinar COVID-19 rent laws - Practical advice for property managers Hello Join us on Wednesday 18 November 2020 for an interactive live webinar to receive...
Consumer Protection
Bulletin
19 Nov 2020
4 November 2020 Registration and licence qualification changes Effective 31 October 2020, new qualification requirements apply for anyone seeking a sales representative registration or real estate...
Consumer Protection
Bulletin
14 Aug 2024

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Announcements

As of 1 January 2019, c ourtesy renewal reminder notices for licences, permits and registrations will only be sent electronically. The changes will apply to the following licensing authorities: Building Services Board Plumbers Licensing Board Director of Energy Safety For information on the renewal process and details on how to update your contact details, visit our Renewal reminder notices...
Building and Energy
Department News
05 Dec 2018
With Commissioner for Consumer Protection David Hillyard No place for family violence Did you know WA is second only to the NT when it comes to rates of family and domestic violence (FDV) and there were more than 50,000 reported incidents across the State in 2016-17? Sadly, family violence is a growing problem in our community and the abuse, whether physical or psychological, often occurs in...
Consumer Protection
Department News
29 May 2018
Western Australia’s Building Regulations 2012 require owners of residential dwellings to have compliant smoke alarms installed prior to the sale, transfer of ownership, rent or hire of the dwelling.
Building and Energy
Department News
20 Dec 2017
The Map of Bush Fire Prone Areas 2017 (the Map) that comes into effect on Thursday 1 June 2017, is now available from the Department of Fire and Emergency Services (DFES) website. This edition of the Map will show both ‘new’ bush fire prone areas and those ‘continuing’ from earlier editions of the Map. All bush fire prone areas will be coloured pink on the Map, with ‘new’ bush fire prone areas...
Building and Energy
Department News
02 Jun 2017
With Acting Commissioner for Consumer Protection David Hillyard The Department of Commerce Bond Administrator figures showed 10 per cent of all residential rental bond lodgements were made late in January this year. A bond is money paid by the tenant and held in trust for the duration of a tenancy. The Residential Tenancies Act 1987 (the Act) requires that bonds must be lodged by the landlord or...
Consumer Protection
Department News
02 Mar 2017
With Acting Commissioner for Consumer Protection, David Hillyard Tenancy laws in WA are under review in a bid to support victims of family violence who live in rental homes. It’s your chance to have a say because community feedback is now invited. An options paper has been released outlining proposed amendments to the Residential Tenancies Act that are designed to complement the Restraining...
Consumer Protection
Department News
10 Nov 2016
The best way to ensure quality painting and plumbing work, and to make sure only ‘fit and proper’ persons are entering your client’s homes and places of business, is to engage appropriately registered and licensed tradespersons. Painters’ registration requirements Individuals, partnerships and companies that contract with others to provide painting services valued over $1,000 must be registered...
Building and Energy
Department News
01 Nov 2016
The 2016-17 financial year sees the Australian Building Codes Board embarking on a significant suite of work relating to the advancement of the Energy Efficiency Provisions in the National Construction Code (NCC). These changes will be considered as part of NCC 2019.
Building and Energy
Department News
21 Sep 2016
With Acting Consumer Protection Commissioner David Hillyard The current economic climate is affecting the rental market in Perth and Western Australia. Some renters are leaving homes for a less expensive option because their financial circumstances have changed, while others are simply taking advantage of the increase in vacant rental properties to choose from. When it is time to end a tenancy,...
Consumer Protection
Department News
25 Aug 2016
With Acting Commissioner for Consumer Protection David Hillyard Court case highlights landlord obligations A recent court case has highlighted the need for private landlords in WA, as well as real estate agents and property managers, to be aware of their obligations under tenancy laws and to comply with them. In the case, Bozena Sakowski was fined $7,200 by the Perth Magistrates Court after she...
Consumer Protection
Department News
05 Apr 2016

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