Quick Answer
For property investors in Western Australia, a title search confirms legal ownership, encumbrances, and state-specific risks like mining interests or strata by-laws. Ordering the Current Title and relevant property title documents Western Australia early allows you to complete property investor due diligence before committing to a purchase.
Understanding WA Title Types and Local Risks
Western Australian property titles present unique risks for investors. Checking the title type dictates what additional documents you must order.
Green Title (Freehold)
A green title indicates standard freehold ownership with no shared common property. While generally straightforward, always check the encumbrances section for easements, covenants, or restrictions that limit land use, particularly for development or subdivision.
Survey-Strata Titles
Survey-strata titles allow for individual lot ownership while sharing common property like driveways. When you order the title, also order the strata plan to review by-laws, unit entitlements, and common property boundaries, which directly affect ongoing holding costs.
Mining Interests
WA titles frequently include mining reservations or registered mining leases. The state often reserves rights to minerals, and a separate party may hold a mining lease over the surface land. A title search identifies these interests so you can assess whether they impede your intended use.
Caveats
A caveat acts as a warning that a third party claims an interest in the property, such as a builder owed money or a financier. Multiple caveats signal complex dispute or debt issues that require resolution before settlement.
Rural Titles
Rural titles carry specific encumbrances like water rights limitations, stock route easements, or environmental covenants. Verify these restrictions early, as they can restrict land clearing, building footprints, or water usage.
Property Title Documents Western Australia: What to Order
Investors need specific documents to answer distinct questions about a property. Here is what to request when ordering through TitleFinder.
Current Title / State Lease
The foundation of your search. It confirms the current registered owner, exact land description, and lists all registered encumbrances, easements, caveats, and covenants. Ordering the Current Title / State Lease through TitleFinder costs $74.50 AUD.
Plan or Strata Plan
If the title references a deposited plan or strata plan, order this document to see the actual lot boundaries, dimensions, and common property areas. Order this when the title text does not clearly define boundary alignments or shared areas.
Dealings or Instruments
The title often abbreviates encumbrances. Ordering the specific dealing or instrument provides the full registered text of a covenant, easement, or agreement. Order these when you need to know the exact terms of a restriction or obligation listed on the title.
Document Comparison: What Each Record Answers
| Document | Question It Answers |
|---|---|
| Current Title / State Lease | Who owns it? What encumbrances, caveats, or covenants are registered? |
| Plan / Strata Plan | What are the exact boundaries? Where is the common property? |
| Dealings / Instruments | What are the full terms of a specific easement or covenant? |
| Caveat Documents | Who else claims an interest and on what grounds? |
Timing: When to Order Your Title Search
Order your title search property investor WA documents during your initial assessment, before making an unconditional offer. If you are buying at auction, order the title search at least five business days prior to assess the risks. For private treaty sales, order during the conditional period to allow time to review complex instruments or strata by-laws.
Property Investor Due Diligence Checklist for WA
- Order the Current Title / State Lease ($74.50 AUD) to confirm ownership and encumbrances.
- Identify the title type: green title, survey-strata, or strata.
- Check for mining interests, reservations, or leases that affect surface rights.
- Review any caveats to identify unregistered interests or disputes.
- Order the Plan or Strata Plan to verify boundaries, common property, and dimensions.
- Order Dealings or Instruments to read the full text of any restrictive covenants or easements.
- For rural titles, check specifically for water, environmental, or access encumbrances.
- Verify that the vendor matches the registered proprietor on the title.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between a green title and a survey-strata title in WA?
A green title is standard freehold with no shared common property. A survey-strata allows individual ownership of lots while sharing common property like driveways, which requires reviewing strata by-laws and unit entitlements.
Why do I need to check for mining interests on a WA property title?
In Western Australia, the crown often reserves rights to minerals, and third parties may hold registered mining leases over private land. Checking the title identifies these interests so you know if another party has rights to access or extract resources from the property.
When should I order dealings or instruments?
Order dealings or instruments when the Current Title lists an encumbrance, easement, or covenant by reference number only. The dealing contains the full terms of the restriction, which you must read to understand your obligations or limitations.
This article provides practical guidance for property transactions. Always verify specific requirements with a qualified legal professional.
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.
