Tenant

Topics

Going to court about rental property issues

If disputes about rental property issues cannot be resolved privately or by using Consumer Protection’s free conciliation service, you may need to apply for an order from the Magistrates Court of Western Australia (Magistrates Court). It is important for all parties to keep detailed records...
Having problems with renting a home?
12 Feb 2014

Tenancy databases

Tenancy databases may be used by lessors as a way of screening prospective tenants. Tenancy databases may be used by lessors (landlords) or real estate agents as a way of screening people who have applied to rent a property. They are commonly referred to as “blacklists” or “bad tenant databases”...
Renting tools
12 Feb 2014

Disputes about bonds

The way you manage a dispute about the disposal of a bond depends on the type of accommodation you are renting. Residential tenancy At the end of a tenancy, the landlord and tenant/s must agree on the bond disposal. Sometimes issues may arise. Reviewing property condition reports and seeking advice...
Bonds
12 Feb 2014

Paying rates and utilities

The following information explains what payments can be passed on from council rates, water, gas and electricity charges. Council rates Tenancy agreements from 1 July 2013 cannot make a tenant liable for paying council rates. For a tenancy agreement prior to 1 July 2013 that has not been renewed,...
Rent and other payments
12 Feb 2014

Serious damage or injury - rental disputes

If the tenant is causing or is likely to cause serious damage to a property, or where relevant, common areas or chattels within a common area, or the landlord believes they could injure an agent, a neighbour or the landlord, the landlord can apply immediately to the Magistrates Court for an order...
Having problems with renting a home?
12 Feb 2014

Renting with pets

If the tenant is permitted to keep pets capable of carrying parasites which can affect humans, a pet bond may be charged. The pet bond can only be applied to the cost of any fumigation of the premises that may be required at the termination of the tenancy. Lessors/agents must lodge the security...
Bonds
12 Feb 2014

Releasing or claiming a bond (Bond disposal)

At the end of a tenancy, bond money will only be paid out if: all tenants and the lessor agree; a court order is obtained from a magistrate for a residential tenancy agreement; or an order is obtained from the State Administrative Tribunal for a residential parks long-stay tenancy agreement...
Bonds
12 Feb 2014

Changing a bond (Bond variation)

A security bond may need to be changed/varied because: additional bond money needs to be lodged with the Bonds Administration, for example because the rent has been increased; one or more of the tenants in a shared household has moved out or a new tenant has moved in; the ownership of the property...
Bonds
12 Feb 2014

Rent inspections

The lessor (landlord or agent) has the right to carry out routine inspections on the property no more than four times a year. Inspections must be at a reasonable hour. Tenant's should receive between seven and 14 days' notice. The lessor must make a reasonable effort to negotiate a more suitable...
Security, safety, maintenance and entry rights
12 Feb 2014

Lodging a bond

Bonds must be lodged with Bonds Administration as soon as possible and no later than 14 days after a tenant/s pay. All tenants on the tenancy agreement must be named on the bond, regardless of who paid it. Bonds Administration will send a record of payment of security bond directly to the tenant...
Bonds
12 Feb 2014

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Publications

Hot tips for safe tenancy - Tenants bulletin issue 6

29 April 2019 National safety alert reminder – gas heaters In case you missed it, a national safety alert was issued last month for four open-flued gas heaters that, under certain circumstances, may...
Consumer Protection
Bulletin
04 Dec 2023

Family violence tenancy laws are now in effect - Tenants bulletin issue 5

15 April 2019 Family and domestic violence tenancy laws now in effect Tenancy reforms to assist Western Australian renters, affected by family and domestic violence, started on 15 April 2019. The new...
Consumer Protection
Bulletin
24 Apr 2019

Application for court order (Form 12) - help for domestic violence applicants

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To close this window immediately press Ctrl +W. For information about how to browse incognito and/or erase your history, see www.esafety.gov.au The PDF and below information provides a guide on...
Consumer Protection
Information
30 Nov 2021

Family violence tenancy laws coming soon - Tenants bulletin issue 4

18 March 2019 Family violence tenancy laws coming soon Renters affected by family and domestic violence (FDV) will soon have new options. We're pleased to say an amendment to Western Australia's...
Consumer Protection
Bulletin
27 Mar 2019

$1.5 million in unclaimed security bonds - Tenants bulletin issue 3

7 February 2019 Security bonds - did you know? A security bond is a payment made in advance by a tenant to cover any damages or outstanding bills that may arise during a tenancy. As such, bond monies...
Consumer Protection
Bulletin
12 Feb 2019

On-supply of utilities: Residential Parks Bulletin Issue 3

31 January 2019 Do you charge your long-stay tenants for utilities outside of their rental costs? Many caravan parks purchase gas or electricity from licensed retailers and use embedded networks...
Consumer Protection
Bulletin
11 Nov 2019

Learn about PCRs: Tenants' bulletin issue 2

4 December 2018 Your property condition report is critical to your tenancy At the start and end of every tenancy your landlord or property manager will provide you with a property condition report (...
Consumer Protection
Bulletin
17 Jul 2020

Are you prepared? Tenants' bulletin issue 1

8 November 2018 Are you prepared? Do you want accurate and reliable information about your rights and responsibilities as a tenant? Consumer Protection can help you understand tenancy laws and how...
Consumer Protection
Bulletin
08 Nov 2018

Tenants bulletins

Tenants bulletins provide topical information and reminders to tenants of rental properties in Western Australia. Have you subscribed? Make sure you are up to date with the latest reminders, news and...
Consumer Protection
Bulletin
29 Nov 2023

Residential parks bulletins

Residential parks bulletins provide topical information and reminders to park tenants and managers. Have you subscribed? Make sure you are up to date with the latest reminders, news and law updates...
Consumer Protection
Bulletin
29 Nov 2022

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Announcements

Parliament passes laws to protect children from toppling furniture

Laws to allow renters to fix furniture to walls to prevent death or injury to children from toppling furniture have passed through State Parliament. The Consumer Protection Legislation Amendment Bill 2018 amends the Residential Tenancies Act and means landlords must allow tenants, who submit a request form, to attach furniture to a wall to prevent a child, or a person with a disability, from...
Consumer Protection
Media release
16 Oct 2019

Commissioner's Blog: Rental property safety – being vigilant

With Commissioner for Consumer Protection Penny Lipscombe We have received complaints from tenants recently about electrical hazards and gas leaks in rental properties. Issues include faulty electrical wiring, power sockets and appliances blowing, power shortages when raining, and water leaking onto electrical points. What to do if you suspect an electrical fault? At least two RCDs must be fitted...
Consumer Protection
Media release
10 Oct 2019

Rental property safety – being vigilant

We have received complaints from tenants recently about electrical hazards and gas leaks in rental properties. Issues include faulty electrical wiring, power sockets and appliances blowing, power shortages when raining, and water leaking onto electrical points. What to do if you suspect an electrical fault? At least two RCDs must be fitted before selling a home, in all properties constructed...
Consumer Protection
Media release
10 Oct 2019

Scammed tenant changes locks, moves in to rental to the surprise of the agent

A real estate sales agent who was showing a prospective tenant a rental property in Beeliar recently was surprised to discover that someone had changed the locks and had already moved in without the authority of the owner. The tenant moved in after responding to a rental accommodation advertisement on Gumtree which ended up being fake. He paid $2,000 to the scammers via a money transfer service...
Consumer Protection
Media release
01 Oct 2019

Commissioner's Blog: Drug contamination in homes

With Commissioner for Consumer Protection David Hillyard Consumer Protection is aware that contamination or damage to homes from illegal drug activity is a worry for tenants, owners and property industry professionals. But how do you identify past production, or smoking, of meth, heroin or cannabis at a property and whether there are potential health risks as a result? We’ve been working with WA’...
Consumer Protection
Media release
12 Sep 2019

Lodging bonds late and wrong dates cost real estate agency $15,000 in fines (Caputo & Clay Pty Ltd / Michael Clay)

A Maylands real estate agency and its supervisor have been reprimanded and fined a total of $15,000 by the State Administrative Tribunal for failing to lodge tenancy bonds with the Bond Administrator within the required time limit and for recording wrong dates when received. Caputo & Clay Pty Ltd , formerly trading as Harcourts Integrity and currently trading as Perth Realty Group , was fined...
Consumer Protection
Media release
04 Sep 2019

Property manager to pay $10,000 for trust account mistakes (TM Residential and Executive Leasing)

A Claremont property management agency has been reprimanded, fined $8,000 and ordered to pay costs of $2,000 by the State Administrative Tribunal (SAT) on 13 June 2019 for trust account errors and other breaches of the law. Gemranch Nominees Pty Ltd , trading as TM Residential and Executive Leasing , had breached the Real Estate and Business Agents Act and the Code of Conduct for Agents and Sales...
Consumer Protection
Media release
20 Jun 2019

Consumer Protection’s new face in the Great Southern

There’s a new Consumer Protection Senior Regional Officer for the Great Southern. Steph Marsh spent her first week in the job training at Consumer Protection’s Perth HQ but is now permanently based at the office on Aberdeen Street in Albany. Steph has lived and worked in Albany for the past eight years at the Department of Communities, supporting children and families. She is looking forward to...
Consumer Protection
Media release
05 Jun 2019

RCD requirements after 1 January 2019

Properties for sale or rent Under the Electricity Regulations 1947 all residential premises sold, rented or hired must have all socket outlets and lighting final sub-circuits protected by at least 2 RCDs. It is also essential to ensure that there are no more than 3 final sub-circuits per RCD and the lighting circuits (if 2 or more) are separated over the RCDs. Further details appear in the...
Building and Energy
Department News
27 May 2019

Commissioner's Blog: New tenancy laws to support those affected by family violence

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david_hillyard_sq.jpg, by sroberts
With Commissioner for Consumer Protection David Hillyard WA has the worst rates of family and domestic violence in Australia and the number of incidents is unfortunately increasing. Family violence affects people from all walks of life making it everyone’s business and all of us have a part to play in preventing it. Changes to WA’s tenancy laws have now come...
Consumer Protection
Department News
18 Apr 2019

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