Quick Answer
Registered interests on a WA title search list every encumbrance, caveat, easement, mortgage, and restriction recorded against the property. Each entry shows who holds a right or claim over the land — and whether that claim affects your use, development, or resale. Reading them correctly means checking the interest type, identifying the parties, and ordering the related dealing or plan document to read the full terms.
What Are Registered Interests?
Registered interests are rights, claims, or restrictions that third parties hold over a property. They are recorded on the certificate of title in official property records. Once registered, these interests bind future owners — not just the current one.
Common registered interests in WA include easements, restrictive covenants, caveats, mortgages, profit à prendre, and mining or petroleum interests. Each appears as a line item under the "Registered Interests" heading of a title search, typically with a document number, registration date, and brief description.
How to Read Each Interest Type
Easements
An easement grants someone the right to use part of your land for a specific purpose — such as drainage, access, or utility services. On the title, you will see the easement type (e.g., "Right of Carriageway"), the parties, and a reference to the plan or dealing that defines the easement's location and terms. Always order the referenced plan to see exactly where the easement runs on the land.
Restrictive Covenants
Restrictive covenants limit what you can do on or with the land — for example, building material restrictions, single dwelling requirements, or prohibitions on certain businesses. The title entry shows the covenant's registration details. Order the dealing document to read the full covenant text, as the title summary alone rarely includes the specific restrictions.
Caveats
A caveat is a formal warning that someone claims an interest in the property. Caveats do not create new rights — they freeze further dealings until the caveat is withdrawn, removed, or lapses. Common caveat types in WA include equitable mortgage caveats, purchaser's caveats, and builder's caveats. Check who lodged the caveat and on what basis. If you are buying, your conveyancer will need to determine whether the caveat must be removed before settlement.
Mortgages
A registered mortgage shows that a lender holds a security interest over the property. The entry lists the mortgagee (lender) and the registration date. If you are buying, the seller's mortgage should be discharged at settlement. If you are the buyer, your own mortgage will be registered after settlement.
Mining and Petroleum Interests
In WA, mining interests can appear on or affect rural and regional titles. A profit à prendre, mining lease, or petroleum licence may grant third parties the right to extract minerals or resources from the land. Even on green title (freestanding) rural blocks, mining rights may be reserved to the Crown. Check the title for any mining-related entries and, for rural purchases, order any referenced mining tenure documents to understand extraction rights.
Green Title, Survey-Strata, and Strata Considerations
WA titles come in several forms. A green title is the most common freehold title — a standalone block with no shared common property. However, green title lots can still carry easements, covenants, and mining reservations.
A survey-strata title divides land into survey-strata lots with possible common property areas (like driveways). The survey-strata plan will show lot boundaries and common property. Check for easements over common property and any by-laws registered against the scheme.
For strata titles, always order the strata plan and by-laws. The title search lists interests against the individual lot, but strata by-laws and common property easements sit on the scheme's parent title. Both must be checked.
Rural Title Risks
Rural titles in WA often carry interests that urban titles do not. Watch for:
- Crown reservations of minerals and timber
- Stock routes, public access ways, and water rights
- Conservation covenants or heritage agreements
- Profit à prendre for gravel, timber, or other resources
- Easements for power, water, and pipeline infrastructure
For rural purchases, order all referenced plans and dealings to confirm boundaries, access rights, and resource extraction rights before committing.
When to Order Additional Documents
The title search shows a summary of interests. To read the full terms, you need the underlying documents. You can order a current title or state lease search through TitleFinder for $74.50 AUD, then order additional dealings, plans, or instruments as needed.
Order a dealing or instrument when you see:
- An easement or covenant referenced by dealing number
- A caveat that references a specific agreement
- Any interest where the title entry description is incomplete
Order the survey-strata or strata plan when the title is survey-strata or strata, to see lot boundaries, common property, and by-laws.
Registered Interests Checklist
- ☐ Check every entry under "Registered Interests" on the title search
- ☐ Identify the interest type (easement, covenant, caveat, mortgage, mining)
- ☐ Note the parties for each interest
- ☐ Order the referenced dealing, plan, or instrument for full terms
- ☐ For strata or survey-strata, order the scheme plan and by-laws
- ☐ For rural titles, check for Crown mineral reservations and resource rights
- ☐ Confirm whether any caveat must be removed before settlement
- ☐ Verify the seller's mortgage will be discharged at settlement
Comparison: Common WA Registered Interests
| Interest Type | What It Does | What to Order |
|---|---|---|
| Easement | Grants right to use land (access, drainage, utilities) | Referenced plan or dealing |
| Restrictive Covenant | Limits land use or development | Dealing document for full text |
| Caveat | Freezes dealings; signals a claimed interest | Dealing or underlying agreement |
| Mortgage | Secures a lender's interest | Usually handled at settlement |
| Mining Interest | Grants right to extract minerals or resources | Mining tenure or profit à prendre document |
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I remove a registered interest from a WA title?
Some interests can be removed — for example, a mortgage is discharged once paid out. Caveats can lapse or be removed through application. Easements and covenants are harder to remove and usually require agreement from the benefiting party or a court order. Check with your conveyancer before assuming any interest can be cleared.
Do green title properties have registered interests?
Yes. Green title means the property is a standalone freehold lot — it does not mean the title is clear of interests. Easements, covenants, caveats, and Crown mineral reservations can all appear on a green title. Always run a title search regardless of the title type.
What is the difference between a caveat and an easement?
A caveat is a warning that someone claims an interest — it blocks further dealings until resolved. An easement is an established right to use part of the land for a defined purpose. A caveat is temporary by nature; an easement is permanent unless formally removed.
This article is for general information only and does not constitute legal advice. Always consult a qualified conveyancer or solicitor for advice specific to your transaction.
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.
