Residential Tenancies Act WA: What Every Landlord Needs to Know

If you own a rental property in Western Australia, every decision you make as a landlord — from how much bond you can charge to how you end a tenancy — is governed by a single piece of legislation: the Residential Tenancies Act 1987.

The Act (commonly referred to as the RTA 1987) sets out the rights and responsibilities of both landlords and tenants in WA. It covers everything from the form your tenancy agreement must take, to how much notice you need to give before entering the property, to the exact process for ending a tenancy when things go wrong.

Whether you self-manage your rental property or use a property manager, the Act applies to you. Getting it wrong can mean invalid notices, lost bond claims, or a significant financial penalty. This guide breaks down the parts of the Act that matter most to WA landlords, in plain English, with links to our detailed guides on each topic.

At a Glance

• Legislation: Residential Tenancies Act 1987 (WA), amended by the Residential Tenancies Amendment Act 2024
• Administering body: Consumer Protection WA (DLGIRS) — 1300 30 40 54
• Disputes: Magistrates Court and Commissioner for Consumer Protection
• Key forms: Form 1AA (tenancy agreement), Form 1 (condition report), Form 21 (breach notice), Form 1A (termination notice)
• Bond limit: Usually four weeks’ rent, plus a prescribed pet bond amount, with a high-rent exception
• Rent increases: Once every 12 months, 60 days’ notice (Form 10)
• Routine inspections: Maximum four per 12 months, 7–14 days’ written notice

What Is the Residential Tenancies Act 1987?

The Residential Tenancies Act 1987 is the primary legislation governing residential rental properties in Western Australia. It is supported by the Residential Tenancies Regulations 1989 and was most recently amended by the Residential Tenancies Amendment Act 2024, which introduced significant changes to rent increase rules, pet provisions, and tenancy agreement forms.

The Act is administered by the Department of Local Government, Industry Regulation and Safety (DLGIRS) through its Consumer Protection division. If you have a question about your obligations under the Act, Consumer Protection WA (1300 30 40 54) is the official source of guidance.

The Act applies to most residential tenancies in WA. It does not cover boarders and lodgers, holiday accommodation, most long-stay residential park tenants, hotels and motels, colleges, hospitals, nursing homes, or certain aged and disability accommodation. If you are unsure whether your rental arrangement falls under the Act, contact Consumer Protection WA.

The Act is structured in six main Parts. The sections that matter most to landlords are Part IV (Residential Tenancy Agreements), Part V (Termination), and the miscellaneous provisions in Part VI covering service of notices and contracting out.

Tenancy Agreements — Form 1AA

Under Section 27A of the Act, every written residential tenancy agreement in WA must be in the approved form. For agreements entered into from 29 July 2024, this is Form 1AA — the prescribed Residential Tenancy Agreement.

You cannot use your own template, a generic agreement downloaded from the internet, or an old version of the form. Using the wrong form — or no written agreement at all — is a breach of the Act that carries a significant financial penalty.

Form 1AA covers the essential terms of the tenancy including rent amount, bond, lease duration, special conditions, and the rights and obligations of both parties. It was updated in March 2026, so if you downloaded a blank copy before that date, check you are using the current version from Consumer Protection WA.

You are also required to provide tenants with prescribed information (Form 1AC, or Form 1AD where there is no written agreement) at the start of the tenancy.

Read our full guide: WA Lease Agreement — How to Fill Out Form 1AA Correctly

Property Condition Reports — Form 1

Section 27C of the Act requires landlords to prepare a property condition report within 7 days of the tenant moving in and provide two copies to the tenant. The tenant then has 7 days to mark any disagreements and return one copy. If the tenant does not return a marked copy within that period, they are taken to have accepted the report as accurate.

At the end of the tenancy, you must conduct a final inspection within 14 days, prepare a final condition report, and provide a copy to the tenant. The tenant must be given a reasonable opportunity to be present at this inspection.

This report is not optional paperwork. It is the primary evidence used in bond disputes. Without a properly completed ingoing report, you will struggle to demonstrate that damage occurred during the tenancy rather than being pre-existing. Without a final report, the Bond Administrator has no basis for releasing bond funds to you for cleaning or damage.

Read our full guide: Property Condition Report WA — How to Complete Form 1

Security Bonds

Section 29 of the Act sets strict rules about how much bond you can charge, how it must be handled, and how it is returned.

For most properties, the maximum bond you can charge is four weeks’ rent. If the tenant is permitted to keep a pet capable of carrying parasites that can affect humans, you may charge an additional pet bond of up to the prescribed amount to cover damage caused by the pet and fumigation of the premises. Where the weekly rent is over the current high-rent threshold described in Consumer Protection’s rental bond guidance ($1,200 per week), the four-week cap does not apply. Charging more than the permitted maximum — even by a small amount — is a breach of the Act.

The bond must be paid to the Bond Administrator (not held by the landlord or property manager). After receiving a bond payment, you must provide a receipt and lodge the bond with the Bond Administrator in accordance with Schedule 1 of the Act. Failure to lodge the bond carries a significant financial penalty.

At the end of the tenancy, the bond is released through the Bond Administrator. The March 2026 prescribed tenancy agreement overhauled this process — any party can now independently lodge a bond release application, and if the other party disputes it or doesn’t respond, the matter is referred to the Commissioner for Consumer Protection for a decision. This replaced the old system where both parties had to sign a joint disposal form, and the only alternative was the Magistrates Court. The court remains available as a final option, but the Commissioner pathway is now the primary route for resolving bond disputes.

Four weeks’ rent is calculated on the weekly rate, not a monthly figure. At $500 per week, the maximum bond is $2,000 — not $2,167 (which would be approximately one calendar month). This distinction matters and getting it wrong puts you on the wrong side of the Act.

The bond cannot be used as a last month’s rent substitute. It is held specifically for damage, cleaning, or unpaid rent at the end of the tenancy.

Read our full guide: Rental Bond WA — Complete Guide for Self-Managing Landlords

Rent Rules

The Act contains several provisions governing how rent is charged, collected, and increased.

Rent in advance

Under Section 28, you cannot require more than two weeks’ rent in advance at any time during the tenancy. You also cannot require any payment of rent until the period covered by the previous payment has elapsed. Demanding a full month upfront (where it exceeds two weeks’ rent) is a breach.

Rent bidding

Section 27AA, introduced by the 2024 amendments, makes it an offence to advertise a rental property without stating a fixed rent amount, or to solicit offers above the advertised rent. This provision carries a significant financial penalty and applies to landlords, property managers, and anyone advertising the property on their behalf.

Rent increases

Section 30 governs rent increases for tenancies where rent is not calculated by reference to the tenant’s income. Rent may only be increased once every 12 months, and the landlord must give at least 60 days’ written notice in the approved form (Form 10).

The 12-month clock starts from the date the tenancy commenced or the date rent was last increased — whichever is later. Importantly, if a fixed-term agreement expires and is renewed with the same tenant, this does not reset the 12-month clock. A landlord who wants a rent increase to take effect on the anniversary of the tenancy should give 60 days’ notice before that date.

Under Section 32, a tenant may apply to the Magistrates Court to have the rent fixed at a lower amount if they believe the rent or a proposed increase is excessive.

Read our full guide: Rent Increase Notice WA: Complete Guide for Landlords

Rent records and receipts

Section 33 requires you to give the tenant a receipt for rent within three days of receiving payment (unless rent is paid directly into a bank account, in which case the financial institution’s record is sufficient). Section 34 requires you to keep accurate records of all rent received, including the date, amount, payer, property address, and rental period covered. These obligations apply throughout the tenancy and are enforceable under the Act.

Inspections and Right of Entry

Section 46 of the Act sets out when and how a landlord may enter the rental property. You cannot enter whenever you want — the tenant has a right to quiet enjoyment of the property, and the Act defines specific circumstances under which entry is permitted.

Routine inspections

You may conduct routine inspections no more than four times in any 12-month period. You must give the tenant written notice (Form 19) between 7 and 14 days before the proposed entry. The notice must specify the date and whether entry will be before or after midday.

Reasonable times

The Act defines a reasonable time for entry as between 8:00 am and 6:00 pm on a weekday, or between 9:00 am and 5:00 pm on a Saturday. Entry at any other time requires the tenant’s agreement.

Other grounds for entry

Beyond routine inspections, the Act permits entry for repairs and maintenance (72 hours’ notice), showing the property to prospective tenants (reasonable notice during the final 21 days of the tenancy), showing to prospective buyers (reasonable notice), emergencies (no notice required), and with the tenant’s consent.

If entry would unduly inconvenience the tenant, you must make a reasonable attempt to negotiate an alternative time.

Key rule

An inspection is not an opportunity to collect rent. You cannot combine rent collection visits with inspection entries unless specifically agreed under the terms described in the Act.

Maintenance and Repairs

The Act places clear obligations on landlords regarding the condition of the rental property.

Landlord’s responsibility

Under Section 42, you must deliver the property to the tenant in a reasonable state of cleanliness and repair (having regard to its age and character), and maintain it in that state throughout the tenancy. You must also comply with all building, health, and safety requirements under other written laws.

“Having regard to its age and character” is an important qualifier. A 1960s weatherboard cottage is not expected to be in the same condition as a brand-new apartment, but both must be maintained to a reasonable standard for their type.

Urgent repairs

Section 43 creates a specific framework for urgent repairs — repairs necessary to restore essential services, avoid injury, prevent property damage, or avoid undue hardship. For essential services (gas, electricity, water, sewerage, hot water), you have 24 hours from notification to arrange repairs. For other urgent repairs, you have 48 hours.

If you fail to act within those timeframes (or the tenant cannot contact you), the tenant is entitled to arrange repairs themselves through a suitably qualified repairer and you must reimburse them for reasonable costs. This is one of the few areas where the Act gives the tenant the right to spend your money — so having a reliable process for receiving and responding to maintenance requests is critical.

Tenant’s responsibility

The tenant must keep the property in a reasonable state of cleanliness, must not intentionally or negligently damage the property, and must notify you of any damage as soon as possible. Fair wear and tear is the tenant’s right — gradual deterioration from normal use is not damage.

Pets

The Residential Tenancies Amendment Act 2024 introduced a comprehensive framework for pets in rental properties through Sections 50A to 50F. These provisions fundamentally changed the position from landlords having broad discretion to refuse pets, to a system where tenants have a right to request and landlords may only refuse on limited grounds.

How it works

The tenant must submit a written request in the approved form (Form 25) to keep a pet. You have 14 days to respond in writing. If you do not respond within 14 days, you are deemed to have approved the request.

Grounds for refusal

You may only refuse a pet request on three grounds: the pet would contravene a written law, local law, or scheme bylaws applying to the premises; with the approval of the Commissioner for Consumer Protection; or on a prescribed ground.

If you wish to refuse on grounds requiring Commissioner approval, you must apply to the Commissioner, who may approve the refusal if satisfied the premises are unsuitable, the number of pets would be unreasonable, the pet would likely cause damage exceeding the bond amount, the pet would pose an unacceptable health and safety risk, keeping the pet would cause the landlord undue hardship, or on a prescribed ground.

Conditions

You can impose reasonable conditions on pet approval relating to the number of animals, cleaning and maintenance obligations, fumigation requirements, or other prescribed matters.

Assistance animals

Tenants may keep an assistance animal without your consent. You cannot refuse an assistance animal under any circumstances.

Modifications to the Property

Division 2B of the Act (Sections 50J onwards) sets out a framework for tenant modifications to the rental property. This covers three categories: furniture safety modifications (such as anchoring furniture to prevent it falling on children), minor modifications, and major modifications. Each category has different consent requirements and different rules about who pays for restoration at the end of the tenancy.

In general, tenants can make furniture safety modifications without your consent. Minor modifications require your written consent, which you cannot unreasonably withhold. Major modifications also require your written consent, and you have broader grounds to refuse. If you do not respond to a modification request within the prescribed timeframe, you may be deemed to have consented.

Self-managing landlords should familiarise themselves with these provisions, as modification requests are becoming more common. Contact Consumer Protection WA if you receive a request and are unsure of your obligations.

Ending a Tenancy

Part V of the Act sets out how residential tenancy agreements can be terminated. This is one of the most complex areas of WA tenancy law, and getting it wrong — using the wrong form, the wrong notice period, or the wrong process — will invalidate your notice and force you to start over.

How tenancies end

Section 60 lists the only ways a residential tenancy agreement can legally terminate. You cannot simply tell a tenant to leave, change the locks, or cut off utilities. Every termination must follow one of the pathways set out in the Act, and most require formal written notice on prescribed forms.

Grounds for termination by the landlord

The Act provides several grounds on which a landlord may terminate a tenancy. The most common are:

Breach of agreement (Section 62): If the tenant has breached a term of the agreement and the breach has not been remedied, you may give notice of termination. This is a two-step process — you must first give a breach notice requiring the tenant to remedy the breach, wait for the notice period to expire, and only then give a notice of termination.

For non-payment of rent specifically, the process requires a 14-day breach notice (Form 21) followed by a 7-day termination notice (Form 1A). The 14-day period must fully expire before you can issue the termination notice.

Read our detailed guide: WA Eviction Notice for Non-Payment of Rent (Form 21 + Form 1A)

No grounds — periodic tenancy (Section 64): You may end a periodic tenancy without giving any reason by providing 60 days’ written notice. This does not apply during a fixed-term agreement. The tenant may apply to the court within 7 days of receiving the notice for an extension of up to 60 additional days.

Sale of property (Section 63): If you have entered into a contract of sale requiring vacant possession, you may give 30 days’ notice. This only applies to periodic tenancies, not during a fixed term.

End of fixed term (Section 70A): At the end of a fixed-term agreement, either party may give 30 days’ notice that the agreement will not be renewed. If neither party gives notice, the tenancy continues as a periodic tenancy.

Other grounds: The Act also provides for termination where the property is destroyed or becomes uninhabitable (Section 69), where the tenant causes serious damage or injury (Section 73 — direct court application, no notice required), and for mortgagee repossession (Section 81A).

Break lease: When a tenant leaves a fixed-term agreement early without your agreement, this is a breach of contract. WA does not have prescribed break lease fees or forms — what you can recover is governed by your duty to mitigate losses under Section 58, and Section 57 prohibits any clause imposing a penalty or liquidated damages on breach.

Read our break lease guide: Break Lease WA — What Landlords Need to Know

Family violence provisions

Division 2A of Part V (Sections 71AA–71AF) allows a tenant who is subject to family violence to terminate their interest in the tenancy agreement by giving notice in the prescribed form (Form 2). This terminates only that tenant’s interest — any co-tenants remain bound by the agreement, and the landlord cannot pursue the terminating tenant for future rent or break lease costs.

A co-tenant who remains after a family violence termination has the right to continue the tenancy or to terminate with 21 days’ notice. In certain circumstances, the court can also terminate a perpetrator tenant’s interest in the agreement to protect other tenants.

These provisions are significant for landlords because they create a termination pathway that does not require the landlord’s consent or a court order, and the landlord has no grounds to refuse. If you receive a Form 2 notice, contact Consumer Protection WA for guidance on your obligations.

Read our complete eviction overview: WA Eviction Guide for Landlords — How to Evict a Tenant Legally

Key legal protections for tenants

Section 66 of the Act is critical: accepting rent after you have given a notice of termination does not waive the breach or the notice. You can continue accepting rent payments while the notice period runs and still apply to the Magistrates Court. Some landlords mistakenly believe accepting rent after serving notice undermines their case — the Act explicitly says otherwise.

Separately, Section 82 prevents contracting out of the Act. Any agreement or arrangement that attempts to exclude, modify, or restrict the operation of the Act is void. You cannot include a clause in a tenancy agreement that overrides the tenant’s statutory rights, and any attempt to do so is an offence.

Service of Notices

Section 85 of the Act governs how notices and documents must be served. This matters because an improperly served notice may be challenged as invalid.

A notice may be given personally, sent by post to the person’s specified address or last known place of residence, or (with consent or in prescribed circumstances) served by prescribed electronic means.

If sent by post, the notice is deemed to have been given at the time the letter would have been delivered in the ordinary course of post — not the date you posted it. This means you need to factor in postal delivery time when calculating notice periods.

A notice to a tenant may also be given to any person over 16 apparently residing at the premises, or to the person who ordinarily pays the rent. A notice to a landlord may be given to the property manager.

Disputes and the Magistrates Court

When a landlord and tenant cannot resolve a dispute themselves, the Act provides two pathways: the Commissioner for Consumer Protection, and the Magistrates Court.

Commissioner for Consumer Protection

Part III Division 1 of the Act allows certain disputes to be referred to the Commissioner. The Commissioner can investigate, request further information from both parties, and make a determination. Either party can appeal a Commissioner’s decision to the Magistrates Court.

Magistrates Court

Part III Division 2 gives the Magistrates Court jurisdiction over residential tenancy disputes. Either party can apply for relief, and the court can make orders including termination of the agreement, orders for possession, compensation, and orders restraining a party from a specified act.

Applications are made through the eCourts Portal. The court aims to determine proceedings as quickly as practicable. In practice, the process from first notice to hearing generally takes 4–8 weeks depending on court availability.

Retaliatory action

Sections 26A and 26B protect tenants from retaliatory action. If a tenant believes the landlord has issued a breach notice, increased rent, or commenced termination action in retaliation for the tenant exercising their rights (for example, making a complaint or requesting repairs), the tenant can challenge this in the Magistrates Court.

Only the court can determine whether an action is retaliatory. However, landlords should be aware that the timing of their actions matters — issuing a breach notice shortly after a tenant lodges a complaint about repairs, for example, creates a pattern that the court may scrutinise.

The 2024 Amendments — What Changed

The Residential Tenancies Amendment Act 2024 introduced the most significant changes to WA rental law in over a decade. The amendments took effect in two stages: some provisions commenced on 16 May 2024, and the remainder on 29 July 2024.

Key changes that affect landlords include:

Rent bidding ban (Section 27AA): You can no longer advertise a rental property without stating a fixed rent, or invite tenants to offer above the advertised price. This applies to all advertising channels.

12-month rent increase rule (Section 30): Rent may only be increased once every 12 months, and lease renewals with the same tenant do not reset the clock. Previously, some landlords attempted to increase rent at each lease renewal regardless of how recently it had been increased.

Pet provisions (Sections 50A–50F): Tenants now have the right to request to keep a pet, and landlords may only refuse on limited prescribed grounds. The 14-day response requirement and deemed approval for non-response are new.

Updated tenancy agreement form: Form 1AA was updated to reflect the 2024 amendments, and updated again in March 2026. Always use the current version.

Written agreement requirement (Section 27A): The requirement that a written tenancy agreement must be in the approved form is now explicit, with penalties for non-compliance.

These amendments apply to agreements entered into from the commencement dates. For agreements entered into before 29 July 2024, contact Consumer Protection WA on 1300 30 40 54 for guidance on which provisions apply to your situation.

For the most common landlord workflows in practice, our WA property condition report guide, WA eviction notice guide, and WA break lease guide guides are the next pages to keep close by.

Common Mistakes Landlords Make Under the Act

Understanding the Act’s existence is one thing. Applying it correctly is another. These are the mistakes we see most often from self-managing landlords in WA.

Using an outdated or non-prescribed form. The Act requires the approved form for tenancy agreements, breach notices, and termination notices. Using a template from the internet, an old version, or your own letter where a prescribed form is required will invalidate the document.

Holding the bond yourself. The bond must be lodged with the Bond Administrator. Holding it in your own bank account — even temporarily — is a breach that carries a significant financial penalty.

Entering the property without proper notice. Four routine inspections per year, with 7–14 days’ written notice, during defined hours. Dropping by unannounced or exceeding four inspections is a breach of the tenant’s right to quiet enjoyment.

Ignoring the 14-day rule for pet requests. Under the 2024 amendments, if you do not respond to a pet request within 14 days, you are deemed to have approved it. Ignoring the request is not the same as refusing it.

Issuing Form 1A before the 14-day breach period has expired. For non-payment of rent, you must serve Form 21, wait the full 14 days, and only then serve Form 1A. Serving the termination notice too early makes it invalid.

Not providing a property condition report within 7 days. This is your primary evidence for bond claims. Missing the 7-day window weakens your position in any subsequent dispute.

Attempting to contract out of the Act. Including clauses in the tenancy agreement that override the tenant’s statutory rights is void under Section 82, and attempting to do so is an offence.

Miscalculating notice periods. The Act’s counting rules exclude the day of service and (for some notice types) the last day of the period. Getting the count wrong by even one day can invalidate your notice.

How Landlord Wise Helps You Stay Compliant

Landlord Wise is open to Australian landlords, with state-aware workflows and tenancy guidance. For WA properties, it helps self-managing landlords keep the Residential Tenancies Act 1987 in view while creating documents, tracking rent, and organising tenancy evidence.

The platform generates Form 1AA tenancy agreements with automatic bond calculations and plain-English review of every clause. It produces Form 1 property condition reports with AI-powered photo analysis that identifies damage, materials, and condition details room by room. It handles the Form 21 and Form 1A eviction notice process with automatic date calculations and validation to prevent the common timing errors that invalidate notices.

And when you have a question about WA tenancy law at 11 pm on a Sunday, Wise AI — our WA tenancy law chatbot — can give you an immediate, contextually-aware answer based on the Act and your specific property and tenancy details.

If you’re looking for the practical workflow behind the Act, start with our WA lease agreement guide, WA rental bond guide, and WA rent increase guide guides for this state.

Related guides for WA landlords

If you are building out the full landlord workflow for this state, these guides connect this page to the rest of the tenancy process.

Same-state guides

• WA lease agreement guide
• WA rental bond guide
• WA property condition report guide
• WA eviction notice guide
• WA rent increase guide

Compare tenancy law guides in other states

• NSW residential tenancies act guide
• QLD rental laws guide
• VIC residential tenancies act guide
• SA residential tenancies act guide
• Tasmania residential tenancy act guide
• ACT residential tenancies act guide

Frequently Asked Questions

Where can I read the full text of the Residential Tenancies Act 1987? The full text of the Act is available on the WA Legislation website at legislation.wa.gov.au. You can also access a plain-English summary in the Landlord’s Guide published by Consumer Protection WA, available free from consumerprotection.wa.gov.au.

Does the Act apply if I use a property manager? Yes. The Act applies to the tenancy regardless of whether the landlord self-manages or uses a property manager. Under Section 86A (introduced in 2024), if the Act requires something to be done and it is not done, both the landlord and the property manager can be held responsible.

What happens if I breach the Act? Breaches of the Act can result in financial penalties, invalid notices or agreements, loss of bond claims, or adverse court orders. The specific consequence depends on which provision has been breached. Some breaches are offences that can be prosecuted by Consumer Protection WA; others simply make your notice or document ineffective, forcing you to start the process again.

Can I include additional clauses in Form 1AA? Form 1AA includes a section for special conditions (Part C). You can add reasonable conditions here — for example, about garden maintenance or specific appliance use. However, under Section 82 of the Act, any clause that is inconsistent with the Act or attempts to exclude or modify the tenant’s statutory rights is void and of no effect.

How much bond can I legally charge? For most properties, the maximum bond is four weeks’ rent, plus a pet bond of up to the prescribed amount if the tenant is permitted to keep a pet capable of carrying parasites. If the weekly rent is over the high-rent threshold described in Consumer Protection’s rental bond guidance, the four-week cap does not apply, but this threshold is set high enough that it affects very few standard residential tenancies in WA. If there is a dispute about bond deductions at the end of the tenancy, the matter can be referred to the Commissioner for Consumer Protection for a decision, or either party can apply to the Magistrates Court.

Can I refuse a tenant’s pet request? Only on limited grounds: the pet would contravene a law or bylaw, with Commissioner approval, or on a prescribed ground. You cannot refuse simply because you prefer not to have pets at the property. If you do not respond within 14 days, you are deemed to have approved the request.

How often can I inspect the property? No more than four routine inspections in any 12-month period. Each requires 7–14 days’ written notice (Form 19) specifying the date and whether entry will be before or after midday. Inspections for repairs, emergencies, or showing the property to buyers or prospective tenants are additional to this limit but have their own notice requirements.

Can I increase the rent during a fixed-term agreement? Only if the tenancy agreement includes a provision allowing for a rent increase, and even then, no more than once every 12 months with 60 days’ written notice. If the agreement does not include a rent increase clause, the rent remains fixed for the duration of the term.

What is the difference between a prescribed form and a suggested form? Some forms under the Act are prescribed — meaning you must use the exact official form as published. Form 1AA (tenancy agreement) and Form 1A (termination notice) are prescribed forms. Other forms are suggested — meaning the government provides a helpful template, but you could technically write your own letter containing the required information. Form 21 (breach notice) is a suggested form. In practice, using the official form for everything is the safest approach.

Does accepting rent after serving a termination notice cancel the notice? No. Section 66 of the Act explicitly states that demanding, pursuing, or accepting rent after giving notice of termination does not operate as a waiver of the breach or the notice. You can continue to accept rent payments while the notice period runs and still apply to the Magistrates Court for an order for possession.

What are my obligations for urgent repairs? You must arrange essential service repairs (gas, electricity, water, sewerage, hot water) within 24 hours of being notified. For other urgent repairs — those needed to avoid injury, property damage, or undue hardship — you have 48 hours. If you fail to act within those timeframes, the tenant can arrange repairs and you must reimburse reasonable costs.

Where do I go if I have a dispute with my tenant? You can apply to the Magistrates Court for relief under Part III of the Act. Applications are lodged through the eCourts Portal. Certain disputes can also be referred to the Commissioner for Consumer Protection for determination. Consumer Protection WA (1300 30 40 54) can advise on which pathway is appropriate for your situation.