If you are renting a home (as a tenant), or renting out an investment property (as a lessor/landlord), you have a variety of rules, rights and responsibilities.

The following links will give you the information to help you understand renting laws and avoid common renting pitfalls.

• make sure you are prepared 
• payment of rent and rent increases;
• security bonds;
• repairs;
• entry rights of the lessor/property manager;
• who pays utilities, rates and taxes;
• using notices and forms;
• Property condition reports;
• ending a tenancy; and
• managing issues.

Renting a home/unit in Western Australia is governed by a set of laws called the Residential Tenancies Act 1987 and the Residential Tenancies Regulations 1989.

Who is not covered?

Residential tenancy laws do not relate to the following:

• boarders and lodgers;
• most long-stay caravan and park home residents;
• holiday accommodation;
• hotels/motels;
• colleges;
• educational institutions (unless a for profit organisation provides the accommodation);
• hospitals/nursing homes/clubs; or
• certain homes for aged or disabled persons.

Lessors, real estate agents and tenants, the Housing Authority (formerly Department of Housing or Homeswest) and its tenants are all bound by the Act.