Quick Answer: A WA title search reveals ownership, encumbrances, and warnings that can halt a property deal. This guide breaks down how to read each section—green title and survey-strata differences, caveats, mining interests, and rural title risks—so you can tell a deal-breaker from a standard entry before settlement.
What a WA Title Search Shows
A Current Title search from official property records in Western Australia gives you the register as it stands today. It lists the volume/folio reference, registered proprietor, estate in land, encumbrances, and interests or notifications. When you order through TitleFinder, a Current Title or State Lease search costs $74.50 AUD and returns the live register—not a historical abstract. Only the current title shows active encumbrances and warnings that affect your purchase.
How to Read the Key Sections
Registered Proprietor
Check the name matches the seller exactly. A company name should match its ACN. Discrepancies between the title and the contract of sale need resolving before settlement.
Estate in Land
Most WA residential titles show fee simple (full ownership). Leasehold appears on some titles, particularly state leases—check the remaining term, as a short lease affects value and finance options.
Encumbrances
Each encumbrance lists with a dealing number. The main types:
- Mortgage: Standard when a seller has a loan. Confirm the bank will discharge it at settlement.
- Caveat: A third party claims an interest. Always investigate—order the caveat dealing to see who lodged it and why.
- Easement: Grants someone else use of part of the land (drainage, right of way). Order the deposited plan to see its physical location.
- Restrictive covenant: Limits what you can build or do. Order the full instrument—some are minor (fence material), others block subdivision or development.
Interests and Notifications
This section flags external interests affecting the land: mining interests (exploration licences, mining leases), Section 74 notices (government restrictions), and other statutory notifications. These don't always stop a deal, but they change what you can do with the property.
Green Title vs Survey-Strata
Green title means a single freehold lot with no common property—no strata company, no shared walls. It's the simplest WA title type, but you still need to check for encumbrances, easements, and notifications.
Survey-strata creates separate lots on a survey-strata plan. You own your lot and may share common property through a strata company. Key checks:
- Review the survey-strata plan for lot boundaries and common areas
- Read the strata company by-laws for use restrictions
- Check whether common property obligations add ongoing costs
Deal-Breaker Warnings to Watch For
Caveats
A caveat means someone claims an interest in the property—a builder owed money, a former partner, or a lender. A caveat doesn't automatically block transfer, but it must be dealt with before or at settlement. Order the caveat dealing and get legal advice on whether it can be removed or must be consented to.
Mining Interests
WA titles commonly carry mining notifications, especially in regional areas. A mining exploration licence or mining lease overlay doesn't give miners unrestricted access to your land, but it can affect surface rights and future use. If you see a mining interest in the notifications section, note the tenement type and number, check the tenement area against your lot, and for rural properties, order a tenement search.
Restrictive Covenants
Some covenants are minor. Others prevent subdivision, restrict building height, or mandate specific materials. Always order the full instrument text before deciding if a covenant is acceptable for your plans.
Statutory Notices
Section 74 and other government-placed restrictions relate to heritage, environmental conditions, or road widening. Read the notice text—it states exactly what's restricted and by which authority.
Rural Title Specifics
Rural titles in WA carry additional risks:
- Pastoral lease overlays: Some rural land sits within pastoral lease areas, affecting land use rights.
- Water rights: Rural titles may have water access conditions or restrictions you need to understand before purchase.
- Unresolved subdivisions: Check whether the title reflects the current lot configuration or if a subdivision application is pending.
- Mining tenements: More likely on rural land. Always check the notifications section and order tenement searches where flagged.
When to Order Additional Documents
A title search alone doesn't give you the full picture. Order supporting documents based on what the title shows:
| Situation | Document to Order | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Caveat on title | Dealing / instrument | Read who lodged it and their claim |
| Easement on title | Deposited plan | See the easement's physical location |
| Restrictive covenant | Instrument | Read the full binding terms |
| Survey-strata purchase | Survey-strata plan + by-laws | Understand boundaries and rules |
| Mining notification | Tenement search | Check tenement area and type |
| State lease | Lease document | Review remaining term and conditions |
Checklist: Reading Your WA Title Search
- Confirm registered proprietor matches the seller
- Check estate type (fee simple vs leasehold)
- List all encumbrances—review caveats first
- Check each easement and identify its purpose
- Read restrictive covenant terms (order instrument if needed)
- Check notifications for mining interests
- Note any Section 74 or statutory notices
- Identify whether the title is green title or survey-strata
- For survey-strata, order the plan and by-laws
- For rural titles, check for pastoral and mining overlays
- Order supporting documents for every flagged item
- Cross-reference lot and plan numbers against the contract
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between green title and survey-strata in WA?
Green title is a single freehold lot with no common property and no strata company. Survey-strata divides land into separate lots under a strata plan, often with common property managed by a strata company. If you're buying survey-strata, order the survey-strata plan and by-laws to understand your boundaries, common property obligations, and any use restrictions.
Can a caveat on a WA title prevent settlement?
A caveat signals that a third party claims an interest in the property. It doesn't automatically prevent settlement, but it must be addressed—either withdrawn, removed, or consented to. Order the caveat dealing to identify who lodged it and the nature of their claim, then seek legal advice on next steps.
Are mining interests common on WA property titles?
Yes, particularly on rural and regional titles. Mining notifications appear in the interests and notifications section. They don't give miners unrestricted access to your property, but they can affect surface rights and land use. Always check what type of tenement applies and whether its geographic area overlaps your lot.
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.
