Quick Answer
A title search for commercial property in WA checks ownership, encumbrances, easements, caveats and restrictions on the certificate of title. Order your Current Title search through TitleFinder for $74.50 AUD before signing or during due diligence to identify risks like mining interests, survey-strata obligations, unregistered dealings or green title boundary issues.
Why Commercial Property Title Searches Differ in WA
Commercial transactions carry risks that residential purchases do not. Existing leases, service easements, mining interests and strata obligations can all restrict how you use, develop or re-tenant the property. A title search pulls the current certificate of title and any registered instruments so you know exactly what encumbers the land before you commit.
Key Documents to Order
Certificate of Title (Current Title)
The starting document for every purchase. It shows the registered proprietor, all encumbrances, easements, restrictions, caveats and any notifications or unregistered dealings. Order through TitleFinder for $74.50 AUD.
Plan or Survey-Strata Plan
Shows lot boundaries, dimensions, common property and easement locations. Essential for survey-strata properties where shared driveways, service easements or common property obligations affect your operation.
Dealings and Instruments
Each encumbrance or interest on the title references a dealing number. Ordering the dealing reveals the full terms of easements, restrictive covenants, registered leases or mortgage discharges. Always order any dealing number listed on the certificate of title.
Caveat Detail Search
A caveat signals a third-party interest in the land. Check who lodged it, the nature of their claimed interest and whether it must be withdrawn or resolved before settlement can proceed.
Mining Interest Search
WA's mining legislation means subsurface rights may sit with third parties. A mining interest search reveals whether mining tenements overlay the property, which can restrict surface use and future development.
WA-Specific Risks to Check
Green Title Properties
A green title (Torrens title) lot in WA has its own separate title with no shared common property. However, you must check whether easements for services, drainage or access burden the lot, whether boundary measurements match the deposited plan, and whether the lot is connected to sewer, water and power — the title will not confirm service availability, so order separate searches where needed.
Survey-Strata
Survey-strata developments allow individually owned lots with shared common property. On the title, verify common property boundaries and your proportionate maintenance obligations, whether by-laws impose use restrictions relevant to your commercial operation, and whether any strata company resolution affects the lot.
Rural Titles
Rural and pastoral properties in WA carry additional risks. Mining tenements may override surface rights, access roads may rely on easements only, water rights and riparian access may not appear on the title, and fencing or boundary agreements may be informal. Verify boundaries and access against the deposited plan.
Caveats
Caveats on commercial titles often arise from unpaid contractors, disputed ownership or option agreements. Identify each caveator, assess whether the interest is registrable, and determine if removal before settlement is required or if the seller must resolve it.
When to Order Your Searches
| Search Type | When to Order | Purpose |
|---|---|---|
| Current Title | Immediately after offer acceptance | Confirm ownership, identify encumbrances, caveats and restrictions |
| Plan / Survey-Strata Plan | Same time as title search | Verify boundaries, common property and easement locations |
| Dealings / Instruments | Within 5 business days of title review | Read full terms of easements, covenants and registered leases |
| Mining Interest Search | Early in due diligence period | Identify subsurface rights affecting use or development |
| Caveat Detail Search | As soon as any caveat appears on title | Assess whether the caveat must be resolved before settlement |
Commercial Property Title Search Checklist
- Order Current Title search ($74.50 AUD through TitleFinder)
- Verify the registered proprietor matches the seller entity
- List all encumbrances, easements, restrictions and notifications
- Order the deposited plan or survey-strata plan for boundary and common property verification
- Order any dealing number shown on the title to read the full terms
- Check for caveats — identify the caveator and their claimed interest
- For rural or regional properties, order a mining interest search
- For survey-strata properties, review by-laws for commercial use restrictions
- Confirm whether easements affect building envelopes or vehicle access
- Cross-reference local government zoning with title restrictions
- Verify any unregistered dealings or pending applications noted on title
- Confirm title search results are current within 24 hours of settlement
Practical Note
Title searches reveal registered interests only. Cross-reference with local government planning, environmental and zoning records. This guide is general and does not constitute legal advice — consult your conveyancer or solicitor for transaction-specific guidance.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a commercial property title search cost in WA?
A Current Title / State Lease search through TitleFinder costs $74.50 AUD. Additional documents such as plans, dealings and mining searches are ordered separately based on what the title reveals.
What is the difference between green title and survey-strata in WA?
A green title lot has its own separate title with no shared common property. A survey-strata lot has its own title but shares common property such as driveways or service areas, with obligations set out in by-laws. Both require different checks during due diligence.
Can a mining interest override my commercial property rights in WA?
In Western Australia, mining tenements registered over the land can grant third parties rights to access and extract minerals, potentially restricting surface use. A mining interest search identifies whether such tenements exist over the property before you purchase.
Order the right TitleFinder document
Use this guide as a reference, then order the actual record that answers your question:
- WA Title Search — $79.90
- WA Survey Search — $85.90
- WA Document Search — $91.80
If you are unsure, start with the current title search, then add the plan or instrument if the title points to one.
Need the title search? Use the TitleFinder product links above to order the current title, plan, instrument or state-specific property record you actually need.
