Home buyer / owner

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Buying or building advice for seniors

You may be living in a home you own or have a mortgage on, but wish to sell and buy or build another one. This might be because you want a smaller garden, to downsize your house or you want to change location. Downsizing can provide many benefits: You can buy a newer home which incorporates...
Your own home
12 Feb 2014

Managing a property yourself

Once you have decided to rent out a property, one of the first decisions you will need to make is whether to do all the property management yourself or employ a real estate agent to do it for you. It needn't be all or nothing. You may employ an agent just to find your tenants and handle the bond...
Property management
12 Feb 2014

Tenant ending a tenancy

Tenancy concerns related to COVID-19 coronavirus? Visit the Residential Tenancies - COVID-19 response page for the latest information. Tenant wants to end a tenancy You can end a periodic tenancy agreement without having to provide a reason, but tenants must give the lessor a minimum 21 days'...
When a tenancy ends
12 Feb 2014

Using a property manager

Property managers who offer their services for a fee must be registered real estate sales representatives working for a licensed real estate agent who is in charge of the agency. If you choose to use a property manager, carefully consider the person’s experience in property management. Ask about:...
Property management
12 Feb 2014

Lessor ending a tenancy

There are various reasons for ending a tenancy. These can range from something as simple as wanting to move on, to the tenant/s or the lessor/property manager not keeping to the terms of the agreement. The proper way to end the agreement will depend on why the tenancy is ending and whether it’s a...
When a tenancy ends
12 Feb 2014

Paying rent and additional charges

Tenants cannot be asked to pay any additional money other than rent and security bond during a tenancy agreement. The lessor cannot ask tenant/s to pay any administration fees, re-inspection fees or charges for sending tenant/s utility invoices or breach notices. The method of paying rent agreed...
Rent and other payments
12 Feb 2014

Missed and overdue rent

The tenancy may end if the rent falls behind. If the tenant/s have a problem making the payments, they should explain their financial situation to the lessor and make alternative arrangements to pay the arrears in full. If the tenant/s are behind in rent payments, the lessor is entitled to follow...
Rent and other payments
12 Feb 2014

Rental property security standards

WATCH
The lessor is responsible for the property having a minimum level of security in place. The minimum security relates to door locks, window locks and exterior lights. The security required is specified in the Residential Tenancies Regulations 1989. All rental properties must be in line with the...
Security, safety, maintenance and entry rights
12 Feb 2014

Privacy and entry rights for rental properties

We all have the right to enjoy our home. Quiet enjoyment is the right for both you and your neighbour/s to occupy, use and enjoy your homes in reasonable privacy without interruption. Overall, your lessor (landlord) or property manager shouldn’t prevent you from enjoying your property in complete...
Security, safety, maintenance and entry rights
12 Feb 2014

Non urgent repairs in a rental home

The tenant should notify the landlord in writing about any non urgent repairs, detailing what needs to be repaired. The landlord does not have to fix items if they are items that were disclosed as not working before the tenancy agreement was entered into, or they are items which the tenant could...
Security, safety, maintenance and entry rights
12 Feb 2014

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Announcements

DMIRS 2019 Stakeholder Satisfaction Survey

The Department of Mines, Industry Regulation and Safety (DMIRS) is conducting a stakeholder satisfaction survey to invite feedback on our services and our role as a regulator. The results will help DMIRS focus on business areas and services that need performance improvements. If you subscribe to a DMIRS email newsletter or subscriber news service, you may be contacted by email and invited to take...
Consumer Protection
Department News
29 Apr 2019

Commissioner's Blog – Be aware of the signs of a stressed ceiling

david_hillyard_sq.jpg
david_hillyard_sq.jpg, by sroberts
WITH COMMISSIONER FOR CONSUMER PROTECTION, DAVID HILLYARD Following a recent ceiling collapse at a Thornlie property, home owners are reminded to act promptly on warning signs of ceiling stress. A ceiling collapse can cause serious injury to anyone present at the time of collapse and it can also cause extensive damage to a room’s contents and structure...
Building and Energy
Department News
03 Apr 2019

Using gas appliances safely

Now summer is officially over, our attention may soon turn to gas heaters and other gas appliances in the home. A recent safety alert affecting four popular gas heaters is a timely reminder that any gas equipment should be used and maintained correctly to avoid potentially dangerous consequences. Along with our colleagues at Building and Energy (formerly Energy Safety ), Consumer Protection is...
Consumer Protection
Media release
14 Mar 2019

Make moving smooth sailing

Moving house is an activity guaranteed to set the stress levels soaring, so it helps to know how to avoid potential nasty surprises when engaging the services of a furniture removalist. Whether you’re moving down the street or across the country, it is a time-consuming and often expensive exercise dreaded by most. A moving ‘to-do’ list can seem endless. Not only do you need to find a new place to...
Consumer Protection
Media release
07 Mar 2019

Warning to WA home owners over roof repair conmen

WA home owners are being warned by Consumer Protection and Building and Energy not to deal with roof repair conmen who have approached three consumers, with one handing over $7,000 for work that wasn’t carried out. One of the consumers was approached at his home by three men in a white ute wearing fluoro shirts who told him that his roof and gutters needed urgent repairs. The dodgy door knockers...
Building and Energy
Media release
21 Mar 2019

Safety alert affects four open-flued gas heaters

A national safety alert has been issued for four open-flued gas heaters that, under certain circumstances, may produce too much carbon monoxide – potentially causing serious health risks to users. Building and Energy (formerly Energy Safety ) is urging owners of these gas heaters to stop using them immediately. The safety alert applies to: Regency i31 (purchased after 1 January 2010) supplied by...
Building and Energy
Media release
12 Mar 2019

Propping your pool gate open is a matter of life and death

Building and Energy is alerting owners and occupiers of properties with swimming or spa pools about the significant risks of propping open a pool gate. Statistics show that drowning is the leading cause of accidental death in children under five years of age, with many such tragedies occurring in domestic pools. Building laws in Western Australia require swimming and spa pools with water more...
Building and Energy
Media release
17 Jan 2019

DMIRS Annual Report released online

The Department of Mines, Industry Regulation and Safety’s inaugural Annual Report, tabled in Parliament on 19 September 2018, is now available on the website . The 2017-18 report highlights the department’s key achievements and financial performance for the last financial year and showcases what we do for the community of Western Australia. The report also includes independently audited reports...
Corporate
Department News
25 Oct 2018

Parliament to consider law changes to protect park home residents

The McGowan Government will this week introduce a Bill into State Parliament to provide greater protections for long-stay tenants at residential parks in Western Australia. The Residential Parks (Long-stay Tenants) Bill 2018 will ensure fairer dealings and security of contract between park operators and their long-stay tenants. Key reforms include: Limiting the termination of fixed-term...
Consumer Protection
Media release
16 Oct 2018

Spring into action on electrical safety: time to test RCDs

With a new season underway, the State’s energy safety regulator is urging home and business owners to do a simple check of their residual current devices (RCDs) – the compulsory life-saving switches that protect against electrocution. RCDs instantly stop the electricity supply when they detect a fault, such as when a person receives an electric shock. The rapid response is designed to protect...
Building and Energy
Media release
26 Sep 2018

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