Home buyer / owner

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Tenancy concerns related to COVID-19 coronavirus? Visit the Residential Tenancies - COVID-19 response page for the latest information. If the tenant/s receive proper notice to end an agreement but refuse to leave, the lessor can seek a court order to end the agreement and take possession of the...
When a tenancy ends
Property investment promoters, or spruikers, invite people to their ‘wealth creation’ seminars, often for free, with the promise of investment tips or opportunities. They typically promote a property investment system or market a specific property development. The seminars are often promoted...
Buying a property
Off-the-plan sales contracts are agreements where a developer promises to deliver a parcel of land, a house and land package or a strata property to a buyer at an agreed price at a future date, subject to the developer obtaining all necessary approvals in respect of the development from the...
Buying a property
Selling through an agent Real estate agents contracted by the seller must act on behalf of the seller but are obliged to act responsibly and ethically to the buyer as well. Anyone in the business of buying, selling or leasing property on behalf of another person must either: hold a real estate...
Selling a property
You can sell your own property yourself or contact a qualified agent to handle the sale for you. If you choose to use an agent they will recommend a method of sale based on the: type and location of your property market conditions your timeframe and personal preference The agent should support...
Selling a property
The Australian Consumer Law (ACL) requires a tradesperson and/or builder to meet certain obligations when they do building work: Service guarantee Product guarantee Businesses are obligated to meet all ACL consumer guarantees by law and they cannot be signed away. If you are having troubles with a...
Building or renovating a property
Before engaging someone to do the work: ask for a written quote contact your local council to find out whether any permits are required ask to see a certificate of currency for public liability insurance – this insurance will protect you or third parties against any damage the tradesperson may...
Building or renovating a property
Ask your family or friends to recommend an architect, builder or tradesperson they have recently used. Shop around and get recommendations. If you are using an architect, ask them to recommend two or three building practitioners who have worked for other clients, as a starting point. You should...
Building or renovating a property
Unless the contract makes specific provision, properties are sold in reasonably the same state as when first inspected. So it is essential to conduct a thorough physical inspection of the property prior to the settlement being finalised. Once you have inspected the property, if you want changes to...
Buying a property
When signing a contract of sale, it is recommended you make one of your conditions subject to a building inspection that is satisfactory to you. As the buyer, you will be responsible for contracting and paying for a suitably qualified building inspector, surveyor or architect to provide a...
Buying a property

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Publications

This is what an electrical safety certificate looks like. You should receive one from your electrical contractor within 28 days of the electrical work (other than repairs) being done.
Information
02 May 2014
This fact sheet is a guide to making your new home is sustainable, energy efficient and easy to run. What is an energy efficient house? An energy efficient house uses less energy than an existing...
Building and Energy
Fact sheet
22 Jan 2019
When dealing with building disputes relating to a regulated building service, Building and Energy may require the parties to a complaint to provide further details about the complaint. These further...
Building and Energy
Fact sheet
23 Jan 2019
A sample complaint letter for unsatisfactory building work. Your name Your address Your phone number Your email address (if you have one) Date Name of builder Street Suburb/town State Postcode Dear...
Consumer Protection
Template
22 Oct 2020
The Home Buyers Survival Guide for WA is produced by the Department of Energy, Mines, Industry Regulation and Safety. The guide provides relevant and useful information for Western Australians when...
Consumer Protection
Guide / handbook
04 Dec 2023
Lessors must give a tenant this form at the start of a tenancy. Please note: The Information for tenants forms (1AC and 1 AD) was updated in March 2015 to include two safety points regards pool/spa...
Consumer Protection
Form – notification
03 Jul 2017
Guidelines for applying for owner-builder approval from the Building Services Board.
Building and Energy
Form – application
14 Aug 2019
Real Estate Fees Negotiating with an Agent
Consumer Protection
Brochure
27 May 2014
A grant from the Home Buyers Assistance Account reimburses some of the incidental expenses incurred in connection with the purchase of a first home in Western Australia. Eligible applicants receive a...
Consumer Protection
Form – application
17 Mar 2022
Property settlement is the finalisation of a real estate transaction between a buyer and a seller. This fact sheet outlines the process of property settlement and the general conditions that usually...
Consumer Protection
Guide / handbook
27 May 2014

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Announcements

A holiday safety consumer alert has been issued by Consumer Protection following the recent tragic death of a two-year-old girl who was strangled by a blind cord at her home on Queensland’s Sunshine Coast last month. With children spending more time at home over the summer holiday season, the young child’s death is a grim reminder that parents and carers must be vigilant to the dangers in the...
Consumer Protection
Media release
15 Dec 2020
WA’s building regulator is seeking public comment on proposals to review registration requirements for building practitioners and contractors. The consultation is part of Building and Energy’s broad review of the compliance and enforcement framework for the WA building industry. The main aim of the initiatives is to improve confidence in the building sector and respond to a major national report...
Building and Energy
Media release
26 Nov 2020
It’s World Toilet Day (November 19) and WA’s plumbing regulator is sharing key advice to ensure lavatories are safe and efficient. Building and Energy Executive Director Saj Abdoolakhan urged home owners not to attempt to install or repair a toilet themselves. “By law, plumbing work related to sanitation, water supply or drainage must only be carried out by a licensed plumber ,” he said. “Many...
Building and Energy
Media release
19 Nov 2020
The supervisor of a house construction in Shelley has been fined $5,000 after several areas, including the roof and ceiling, failed to comply with approved plans or building standards. The Building Services Board found that Christopher John Joseph Brereton (BP102223) breached WA’s building registration laws by failing to properly manage and supervise a building service. Mr Brereton was a co-...
Building and Energy
Media release
12 Nov 2020
Asbestos Awareness Week 2020 runs from 23-29 November 2020. Please take this opportunity to ensure your workplace asbestos management systems are up to date, and that workers are aware of these systems. And remember – buildings built before 1990 are likely to contain materials with asbestos content. Follow the links for more information: Asbestos and Silica Safety and Eradication Agency Industry...
WorkSafe
Event
06 Nov 2020
WA’s plumbing regulator has issued a reminder that taps, toilets, showerheads and most other plumbing products must have WaterMark certification to show they have passed safety and quality checks to meet specific Australian standards. As National Water Week (19-25 October) gets underway, Building and Energy is joining with the Australian Building Codes Board to highlight the national WaterMark...
Building and Energy
Media release
19 Oct 2020
A Perth owner-builder has been ordered to pay $6,000 in fines and costs after failing to fix several building issues affecting the new owners of a Yanchep house. Jonathon Robert Reardon did not appear at Joondalup Magistrates Court on 1 October 2020 when he was convicted of breaching WA’s building laws by not complying with a Building Commissioner’s order. The court was told that in 2013 Mr...
Building and Energy
Media release
13 Oct 2020
If you’ve got a spare room or investment property, you may be considering advertising the space for short-term renting to make some extra money. Or perhaps you’re a local travelling across WA, who’s on the look-out for somewhere to stay that’s different to what’s on offer from traditional accommodation providers. Whatever your motivation, it’s clear that Western Australia’s short-term rental...
Consumer Protection
Media release
17 Sep 2020
A Caversham electrician has been fined $10,300 after he failed to install an essential safety system at a Cloverdale house, which could have resulted in electrocution of the occupants. At Perth Magistrates Court, Anthony Michael Kiely (EW133300, EC10793) was also ordered to pay $535 in costs after pleading guilty to breaching WA’s electricity licensing regulations, following a prosecution by...
Building and Energy
Media release
27 Aug 2020
An Innaloo tradesman has been fined $1,500 and ordered to pay almost $600 in costs after he falsely presented as a registered painter and carried out painting work that requires registration. Christopher Robert Larden did not appear at Armadale Magistrates Court on 4 August 2020 when he was sentenced for breaching WA’s building registration laws, which stipulate that only a registered painting...
Building and Energy
Media release
19 Aug 2020

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