Home buyer / owner

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Whether you rent or own your home, you can keep you and your family safe by reducing any risks you notice around the house. The following pages will provide you with tips on what to look for and how to fix any issues: Portable swimming pool safety Rules for pools and spas (Building Commission)...
Home safety
When looking at a property with an existing balcony or deck, deterioration or substandard work may not be easily spotted. If you rent or about to buy a property, be aware the property owners may not even know how or when it was constructed. Unsafe balconies and decks are a hazard and can place...
Home safety
Safety agencies regularly produce material to help prevent serious injury or death in and around the home. Portable swimming pools Recent focus of product safety was on the portable pools. Portable pools can pose a safety risk, especially for children under the age of five. Even in a small portable...
Multilingual consumers
The Building Services (Registration) Act 2011 requires that an individual, partnership or company that carries out, or contracts to carry out, 'builder-work' valued over $20,000 ( within the area of jurisdiction ) must be a registered building service 'contractor' and named as a builder on the...
Licensing search
If you have private power lines or a private power pole on your property, it is your responsibility to inspect and maintain them.
Electrical installations
A buyer’s agent provides a service directly to consumers looking to buy real estate. Buyer’s agents offer a number of different services, ranging from researching a single property to undertaking a complete search of available property, even evaluating and then negotiating the purchase of property...
Buying a property
The Consumer Protection Division sought the views of the community as part of a review of laws that regulate retirement villages in Western Australia. Status: Closed Monday, 28 July 2014. All those interested in this area were urged to read the consultation paper and put in a submission by the...
Consultations
What is carbon monoxide? Carbon monoxide is a colourless, odourless, poisonous gas which may be produced by faulty, poorly maintained or misused gas appliances. You may not know you have been exposed to potentially fatal levels of carbon monoxide until the symptoms of poisoning become severe...
Gas appliances
If you are thinking of renting out a granny flat it is important to understand which tenancy laws may apply as this will determine both your rights and your responsibilities. In Western Australia, a person renting a granny flat could be a tenant under the Residential Tenancies Act 1987 or a lodger...
Types of rental accommodation
Consumer Protection was seeking the views of the community as part of a review of laws that regulate residential parks in Western Australia. Status: Closed Closed: 12 September 2014 UPDATE: 2016 Final report - DRIS Background The purpose of this review was to assess the effectiveness of the...
Consultations

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Publications

A breakdown of the number and general location of buildings identified as being within the scope of the Western Australian state-wide cladding audit.
Building and Energy
Reports
21 Oct 2020
While apartment living has many advantages, the fire at the Grenfell Tower in London and other fire events in Australia and around the world have highlighted the importance of fire safety in high-...
Building and Energy
Fact sheet
03 Oct 2017
Conciliation is a process whereby parties, with the help of a conciliator, meet to identify issues, develop solutions to the problem and explore ways to reach an agreement. This publication is a...
Building and Energy
Information
05 Feb 2019
The following is a guide for home owners who may have concerns about the stability of the plasterboard ceilings within their home.
Building and Energy
Fact sheet
11 May 2017
Publication last updated 7 April 2021 Buying a property to rent out is a popular form of long-term investment in Australia. Before deciding to take on a rental property you should consider its value...
Consumer Protection
Fact sheet
07 Apr 2021
Before you buy a home, it is recommended that you have a timber pest inspection report. The following information explains the law but does not substitute the legislation. You should get expert or...
Consumer Protection
Fact sheet
09 Jan 2024
In July 2016 asbestos was found in composite roof panels at the new Perth Children’s Hospital. The roof panels were imported from China and classified as “asbestos free”, but testing by a National...
WorkSafe
Alert
08 Jan 2024
The Department of Commerce – WorkSafe Division has released a Discussion Paper on recommendations to amend the model Work Health and Safety Regulations (the WHS regulations) for the Western...
WorkSafe
Information
01 Jun 2016
Building and Energy
Fact sheet
26 Apr 2016

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Announcements

Western Australia’s residential property market is booming right now, so house-hunters may be feeling some pressure to buy now to avoid missing out in future. While it might be a seller’s market, we would urge buyers to avoid making hasty decisions they might later regret by doing their own research, asking lots of questions and seeking professional advice. There is no mandatory cooling-off...
Consumer Protection
Media release
22 Jul 2021
Building and Energy campaign targets carbon monoxide hazards in the home Gas heaters should be regularly serviced by a licensed gas fitter Ensure adequate ventilation and awareness of carbon monoxide symptoms A new campaign is urging Western Australians to stay safe and warm this winter by having their gas heaters serviced and being aware of carbon monoxide risks. The campaign, by the State’s gas...
Building and Energy
Media release
22 Jul 2021
Retirement villages are an important part of available housing options as we get older and Consumer Protection is keen to get your feedback about proposed reforms to legislation. We recently released the final consultation paper in Stage Two of the retirement villages’ legislation reform process in Western Australia, and all interested parties are encouraged to make a submission. You can provide...
Consumer Protection
Media release
15 Jul 2021
Building Services Board’s $3,000 fine follows a SAT order to pay $20,000 Patio and alfresco project had 11 areas of defective work Value of work understated by almost $20,000 in building permit application The Building Services Board has fined a Duncraig building practitioner $3,000 after he carried out faulty patio work and provided incorrect details on a permit application. At its June meeting...
Building and Energy
Media release
22 Jun 2021
Planned changes for better regulation of private swimming pool fences Building and Energy’s decision paper follows an in-depth review and consultation Preparation work underway including draft amendments to Building Regulations Building and Energy has outlined 16 ways that the State Government intends to improve the regulatory requirements for private swimming pools and their safety barriers in...
Building and Energy
Media release
15 Jun 2021
Western Australia’s building regulator is reminding builders and their clients that any increases in the price of a home building contract must comply with legislation. The guidance from Building and Energy follows a sharp rise in enquiries from home owners about unexpected price increases to their fixed-price home building contracts, as well as about delays to building work. Building and Energy...
Building and Energy
Media release
10 Jun 2021
Building a new home can be an exciting time, but many Western Australians going through the process right now may be facing unexpected price rises and construction delays. To help set the record straight on when prices can and cannot be increased, our colleagues at Building and Energy have published a new guide outlining what builders and their clients need to know about home building contract...
Building and Energy
Media release
03 Jun 2021
Now that Cyclone Seroja has come and gone, many regional Western Australians will be assessing the damage and counting the cost of the destruction left in its wake. One of the first steps to be taken if your property has been damaged in a natural disaster like this is to check what your insurance policy covers for storms and floods. The Australian Securities and Investments Commission’s...
Consumer Protection
Media release
16 Apr 2021
Building and Energy officers providing on-ground support in the Mid West. Residents urged to be cautious when using generators, gas equipment and other portable appliances. Avoid DIY repairs to electrical, gas and plumbing infrastructure. WA’s energy safety regulator is sharing key electrical and gas safety advice for people in cyclone-affected areas who may be using portable equipment or...
Building and Energy
Media release
15 Apr 2021
Have you had a solar system installed at your property? If so, Building and Energy, would like to hear from you regarding your experience with the solar industry via a short survey. As the Western Australian Electrical Regulator, Building and Energy is undertaking this survey to gain a better understanding of the community’s experience with the solar industry. We would appreciate any feedback you...
Building and Energy
Department News
01 Apr 2021

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