Quick Answer
A Western Australia title search reveals who owns the land, what encumbrances affect it, and whether any third party holds a registered interest. Before bidding at auction, verify the registered proprietor, scan for caveats, mortgages, easements, and covenants, confirm the title type matches your expectations, and order the relevant plan. A current title search through TitleFinder costs $74.50 AUD and gives you the information you need before the hammer falls.
What a WA Title Search Shows
When you order a current title search through TitleFinder, you receive the official property records entry for that parcel. It contains four sections you must verify before an auction:
- Property description — lot number, plan number, and volume/folio reference. Cross-check these against the contract of sale and the deposited plan.
- Registered proprietor — the current legal owner. Confirm this matches the vendor's name on the contract of sale.
- Encumbrances — registered interests such as easements, restrictive covenants, mortgages, and caveats that burden the property.
- Notations — administrative notes, reservations, and exceptions, which may include Crown reservations or mining interests.
Title Types in WA: What Changes for You
Western Australia uses several title types. The type on your target property determines what you need to investigate.
Green Title
A green title (standard Torrens title) means you own the lot outright with no shared common property. Green titles are the simplest form, but still check for easements and restrictive covenants. If the green title sits in a subdivision, order the deposited plan to confirm lot dimensions and any easement sites.
Survey-Strata Title
Survey-strata titles divide land into lots on a plan and may include common property such as driveways or parking areas. If common property exists, you share maintenance obligations with other lot owners. Always order the survey-strata plan to check boundary walls, common property areas, and any encumbrances on common property that affect your lot.
Purple Title
Purple title (company title) appears in older unit developments. Ownership operates through shares in a company that holds the title. Lenders frequently refuse purple title security, and transfers require company approval. If you find purple title on your search, confirm with your conveyancer and lender before bidding.
| Feature | Green Title | Survey-Strata | Purple Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| Common property | None | May exist | Shared via company |
| Recurring levies | No | If common property | Company fees |
| Lender acceptance | Standard | Standard | Often restricted |
| Plan to order | Deposited plan | Survey-strata plan | Constitution and share allocation |
Encumbrances to Inspect Before Auction
Easements
Easements grant another party the right to use part of your land — commonly for drainage, sewer, or vehicle access. Read the easement instrument to understand its terms. A sewer easement running through a building footprint can block future extensions. Order the instrument referenced on the title to read the full terms.
Restrictive Covenants
A restrictive covenant limits what you can build or do on the land. These are common in new estates and may dictate building materials, dwelling size, or height. Check whether the covenant still binds the current owner and whether it has expired under the relevant legislation.
Mortgages
A registered mortgage indicates the owner owes a lender. This does not directly affect a buyer, but confirm the vendor will discharge it at settlement. The discharge should lodge before or at settlement.
Caveats
A caveat is a registered warning that someone claims an interest in the property — often a purchaser under an earlier contract, or a lender with an unregistered mortgage. A caveat can prevent registration of further dealings. If a caveat appears on title, find out who lodged it, why, and whether it can be withdrawn before settlement. Do not bid at auction with an unexplained caveat on title.
Mining Interests: A WA-Specific Risk
In Western Australia, the Crown reserves rights to minerals under most freehold and leasehold titles. Check the "exceptions and reservations" section on the title. If mining leases or exploration licences appear, determine whether they affect surface land or subsurface only. Rural titles near mining areas are especially exposed — order the relevant instrument to understand the scope of any mining interest before bidding.
Rural Titles: Extra Checks
Rural and semi-rural titles in WA carry specific risks:
- Crown land reservations — the title may reserve a portion for roads, drainage, or public access.
- Water rights and easements — rural properties often carry water supply easements or riparian access rights.
- Unfenced boundaries — the deposited plan may show boundaries that differ from physical fences on the ground.
- Land use covenants — former farmland may carry covenants restricting rezoning or development.
For rural properties, always order the deposited plan and any referenced instruments alongside the title search.
Auction Due Diligence Checklist
- Order a current title search through TitleFinder ($74.50 AUD for a Current Title / State Lease search)
- Verify the registered proprietor matches the vendor on the contract
- Confirm the title type (green, survey-strata, purple) and order the relevant plan
- List all encumbrances: easements, covenants, mortgages, caveats
- Read each easement and covenant instrument — do not rely on the title summary alone
- Check for caveats and determine their status before bidding
- Review exceptions, reservations, and mining interest notations
- For rural titles, inspect Crown reservations and water easements
- Cross-check the lot and plan numbers on the title against the contract and the deposited plan
- Confirm your lender accepts the title type
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I rely on the title search provided by the selling agent?
The agent may supply a copy, but it could be outdated. Title information can change daily — caveats, mortgages, and other dealings can lodge at any time. Order a fresh search through TitleFinder before the auction so you see the current state of the title.
What is the difference between an easement and a covenant?
An easement gives another party the right to use part of your land for a specific purpose, such as drainage access. A covenant restricts what you can do on your own land, such as limiting building materials or prohibiting certain uses. Both register on title and both require you to order the referenced instrument to read their full terms.
Should I order the deposited plan as well as the title search?
Yes. The title search identifies the lot and plan reference, but it does not show boundaries, easement sites, or common property layouts. The deposited plan or survey-strata plan gives you the spatial detail you need to assess building envelopes, access, and shared areas. Order both before auction day.
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.
