Home buyer / owner

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Boarders and lodgers

What is the difference between a tenant and a boarder/lodger? Firstly, it matters whether you are a tenant OR a boarder/lodger because your rights are different and protected under different laws. It is not always easy to determine whether a person is a boarder/ lodger, or a tenant/sub-tenant as it...
Types of rental accommodation
06 Feb 2014

Prepare to rent

Whether you are a lessor / landlord or tenant - you should make sure you do your homework before signing a rental agreement. Tenants Make sure the property meets your day-to-day needs. Ask yourself: Can you pay the rent and still have money to live? Is it close to shops, schools or public transport...
Beginning a tenancy
06 Feb 2014

Are you bush fire ready?

Western Australia has some of the driest climatic regions in Australia and is prone to bush fire attack, particularly around the south west regions. In the past few years there have been numerous fire events that have devastated bushland areas and destroyed or damaged properties. Building and...
Building in bush fire prone areas
22 Jan 2014

Having plumbing work done

WATCH
Only a plumber who holds a licence issued by the Plumbers Licensing Board can legally carry out water supply, sanitary and drainage plumbing work in Western Australia. Licensing plumbers reduces risks to public health, safety and the environment by ensuring they are competent and sufficiently...
Having plumbing work done
13 Jan 2014

Swimming, spa and portable pools

The Building Regulations 2012 (the Regulations) require all private swimming, spa, and portable pools that contain water that is more than 300mm (30cm) deep to have a compliant safety barrier installed that restricts access by young children to the pool and its immediate surrounds. This webpage...
Swimming pools and spas
13 Jan 2014

Sustainability in the built environment

A sustainable building industry will balance environmental, social and economic issues to ensure a viable and valuable industry for future generations. The building industry includes developing, planning, designing, building, altering, or maintaining the built environment. The manufacturers,...
Sustainability
13 Jan 2014

European House Borer

What is the European House Borer? The European House Borer (EHB) is a destructive pest that targets seasoned coniferous timber including pine, fir and spruce. If allowed to become established it can cause major structural damage to buildings. The adult beetle lays its eggs into cracks, holes and...
European House Borer
13 Jan 2014

Building or renovating your home – helpful resources

New! Building and Energy's Top 10 tips: Choosing a builder and signing a home building contract Translations – Building and Energy's Top 10 tips: Choosing a builder and signing a home building contract Available in Chinese Simplified (Mandarin), Vietnamese, Korean, Arabic, Chinese Traditional (...
Building or renovating your home
13 Jan 2014

Building service and home building work contract complaints

As part of its function, Building and Energy provides an avenue for both consumers and builders to resolve disputes relating to the carrying out of regulated building services and home building work contracts. These services are provided to parties as an alternative to the commencement of court...
Building complaints
07 Jan 2014

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Announcements

Bushfire reform aims to save lives

The State Government has announced reforms for building in bushfire-prone areas of Western Australia. The Department of Fire and Emergency Services has prepared a map which identifies the bushfire-prone areas across the State. A bushfire hazard assessment will be required for new homes in areas identified as bushfire-prone on the map. The assessment will determine the level of construction...
Building and Energy
Department News
07 Dec 2015

Commissioner's Blog: In a spin over washing machine recall

UPDATE: New advice to seek a refund or replacement has been issued since this blog was published. Please read the latest media statement: www.commerce.wa.gov.au/announcements/urgent-advice-owners-recalled-samsu... With Acting Consumer Protection Commissioner Gary Newcombe It has been more than two years since Samsung Australia recalled six models of top loading washing machines because they pose...
Consumer Protection
Department News
25 Aug 2015

Commissioner's Blog: Toppling furniture can kill kids – anchor it!

With Commissioner for Consumer Protection Anne Driscoll... In the last 15 years at least 14 children under nine years old have died from domestic furniture falling on them in Australia. Anyone who has been around small children will know that they like to climb on furniture, however if freestanding items such as bookcases, drawers or wardrobes fall, they can trap, crush or suffocate a child...
Consumer Protection
Department News
24 Jul 2015

Commissioner's Blog - Considerations before making an offer on a property

With Consumer Protection Commissioner Anne Driscoll Things to consider before making an offer on a property You might walk into a home and fall in love with it very quickly but it is important to do your own research and ask questions before making a written offer on a property. There is no mandatory cooling-off period for real estate contracts in Western Australia, so make sure you know what you...
Consumer Protection
Department News
13 Jul 2015

Home owner survey – Requirement for owners to sign a building permit application

The Building Commission is conducting a brief survey to gather information and feedback from home owners about the requirement for all owners of land to sign a building permit application before it is submitted to the local government. In 2012, this requirement was identified as causing delays in the building process due to difficulties in obtaining all signatures. In an attempt to speed up the...
Building and Energy
Alert
13 Feb 2015

Paving company penalised over false MBA membership (Repave Spray-On Paving, Peter Vukmirovic)

A Scarborough paving company and its Director have been ordered to pay a total of $20,000 in penalties after admitting to falsely advertising that the business was a member of the Master Builders Association (MBA). Realgold Corporation Pty Ltd, trading as Repave Spay-On Paving, and its sole Director Peter Vukmirovic were each ordered to pay a penalty of $10,000 by the District Court on 24 April...
Building and Energy
Department News
29 Apr 2014

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