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Landlord rules in Western Australia

What the law asks of a self-managing landlord in Western Australia — the notice periods, the caps and the deadlines, each one linked to the official Consumer Protection (WA) page it came from.

Verified ✓Checked against Consumer Protection (WA). Last verified 1 August 2026.

Who governs renting in WA

Sourceslast verified 1 August 2026
This state's rules were built from these official pages. Always confirm current requirements yourself.
Routine inspection
official source ↗
Rent increase
official source ↗
Minimum standards
official source ↗
Urgent repairs
official source ↗

Western Australia is managed by Consumer Protection (WA) under the Residential Tenancies Act 1987 (WA). Rules verified against the regulator. General information — not legal advice. Read the full disclaimer.

The nine questions WA landlords ask

How much notice do I need to give for a routine inspection?

Routine inspection — 7 to 14 days' written notice (Form 19); maximum 4 per year. You can generate the Form 19 (entry notice) from the Compliance screen when the tenancy is eligible.

Statutory basis: RTA 1987 (WA) s 46(2)(b),(3)

Source: Routine inspection

How often can I increase the rent, and how much notice do I give?

Rent increase — once every 12 months; at least 60 days' written notice (Form 10). You can generate the Form 10 (rent increase) from the Compliance screen when the tenancy is eligible.

Statutory basis: RTA 1987 (WA) s 30(1)

Source: Rent increase

How far behind does the rent have to be before I can issue a breach notice?

Rent arrears — a Form 21 breach notice can issue the day after rent falls due; 14 days to pay, then Form 1A (7 days). You can generate the Form 21 breach (14 days to pay) from the Compliance screen when the tenancy is eligible.

Statutory basis: RTA 1987 (WA) s 62(4),(5)

Source: Rent arrears

How much bond can I take, and how is it lodged?

Bond — max 4 weeks' rent (cap n/a if rent over $1,200/wk); pet bond max $350; lodge with the Bond Administrator.

Statutory basis: RTA 1987 (WA) s 29

Source: Bond

What are my smoke alarm obligations?

Smoke alarms — mains-powered, compliant, under 10 years old; plus 2 RCDs on the switchboard. You can generate the Smoke alarm check from the Compliance screen when the tenancy is eligible.

Source: Smoke alarms

What minimum standards does the property have to meet?

Minimum standards — specific safety items required (alarms, RCDs, door/window locks); broad habitability standards are Phase 2 (not yet law).

Source: Minimum standards

How do I end a tenancy at the end of the fixed term?

Ending a tenancy — without-grounds termination still lawful (60 days, Form 1C); sale requiring vacant possession 30 days. You can generate the Form 1C (termination) from the Compliance screen when the tenancy is eligible.

Statutory basis: RTA 1987 (WA) ss 64, 63

Source: Ending a tenancy

What counts as an urgent repair, and what must I do about it?

Urgent repairs — essential services within 24 hours, other urgent repairs 48 hours; tenant may arrange and recover a reasonable expense.

Source: Urgent repairs

Can I refuse a tenant's pet request?

In Western Australia, respond to a written pet request within 14 days. To refuse you must apply to Commissioner for Consumer Protection; if you don't respond within 14 days consent is taken to be given. A separate pet bond of up to $350 is allowed. Decisions the tenant disputes are heard by Commissioner for Consumer Protection. Use the app's pet annexure + decision letter to record it properly.

Source: Western Australia — pet rules

What's changed recently in WA

Rent bidding
Banned — advertise a fixed amount; can't encourage offers above it (a tenant may still offer more).
Rent in advance
Maximum 2 weeks' rent in advance.
Water charging
You can recover water consumption only if the premises is separately metered and water-efficient; you pay the water service/supply charges.
Portable bonds
No portable-bond scheme in WA; bond-replacement products are prohibited.
Minimum standards
Minimum security standards in force; broader habitability standards are Phase 2 — legislated, not yet commenced.

Source: consumerprotection.wa.gov.au

How LandlordMate handles it

How does my tenant pay rent?

Rent lives on the Rent page — see who's paid and record payments. Your tenant pays your bank account directly (transfer or PayID, matched by reference); LandlordMate never touches the money, it just keeps the record.

Source: How-to · Rent

How do I screen an applicant?

Applicants and their checks live on Screening — compare them, run the background check, and send a good prospect an application link.

Source: How-to · Screening

How do I advertise a vacancy?

Open the property and turn on the listing bridge — you get a public link and a private enquiries inbox to paste into realestate.com.au or share directly. Your contact details stay private.

Source: How-to · Open a property

How do I get my EOFY pack for my accountant?

Reports has your monthly owner statement and EOFY pack — export CSV or OFX (imports into Xero, MYOB & QuickBooks) or email the pack to your accountant.

Source: How-to · Reports

Other states and territories

The rules differ in every one — a notice period that is right in WA is wrong two borders over. Queensland · New South Wales · Victoria · South Australia · Tasmania · Australian Capital Territory · Northern Territory

Stop looking this up every time

LandlordMate tracks these deadlines for your property, generates the right state form, and tells you when something is due — $29/month for up to 3 rentals, 14 days free.

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General information drawn from each state's published rules — not legal advice. Tenancy law changes, and your situation may turn on facts a general page can't know. Confirm against the linked official source, or get advice. See our disclaimer.