Quick Answer
When refinancing, your new lender requires a current title to confirm clear ownership and identify any registered encumbrances. A property title search WA reveals caveats, mortgages, mining interests, and title specifics like green title or survey-strata restrictions. You can order your title search through TitleFinder for $74.50 AUD.
Why a property title search WA is essential for refinancing
When refinancing a home or investment property, your new lender must register a mortgage against the title. They need confirmation that no adverse interests have been registered since your original purchase. Conducting a property due diligence WA check before applying identifies any caveats, covenants, or third-party interests that could delay settlement or reduce the property's value as security.
What a current title search reveals
Ordering a title search Western Australia through TitleFinder provides the current state of the official property records. It shows:
- The registered proprietor: Confirms your name is still accurately listed.
- Registered mortgages: Details your current lender and any other registered mortgagees.
- Encumbrances and easements: Identifies rights of way, drainage, or restrictive covenants.
- Caveats: Alerts you to third parties claiming an interest in the property.
- Title type: Specifies whether the property is a green title, survey-strata, or strata title.
WA-specific title risks to check
Green Title: A green title in WA means you hold a conventional freehold lot with no common property. While straightforward, do not assume it is unrestricted. Check for easements for sewerage or restrictive covenants that limit building modifications.
Survey-Strata: Survey-strata titles divide land into separate lots based on a surveyed plan. They may still share common property like driveways or services. When refinancing, your lender will want to see the strata plan and by-laws to understand maintenance obligations.
Mining Interests: WA titles can be subject to mining leases, prospecting licenses, or exploration permits. Lenders are cautious about properties encumbered by mining interests because they grant external parties rights to access or excavate the land. If a mining interest appears on your title, prepare for delays.
Caveats: A caveat is a formal warning that someone else claims an interest in your property. It prevents the registration of further interests, including your new mortgage. You cannot refinance until the caveat is withdrawn or removed.
Rural Titles: Refinancing a rural property requires checking for specific encumbrances like water rights, stock routes, or old mining easements. These can restrict land use and affect the property's valuation.
Refinancing buyer checklist
- Order a current title search ($74.50 AUD via TitleFinder) to verify current ownership and encumbrances.
- Check the title type: Identify if it is a green title, survey-strata, or affected by mining interests.
- Review for caveats: Address any caveats before submitting your refinancing application.
- Inspect encumbrances: Locate restrictive covenants or easements that might breach your new lender's criteria.
- Request strata by-laws: If the property is survey-strata, order the by-laws and strata plan.
- Confirm mortgage discharge: Ensure your current lender will process the discharge promptly upon payout.
Title type comparison
| Title Type | Key Refinancing Check |
|---|---|
| Green Title | Verify no restrictive covenants or unregistered easements; confirm no mining interests. |
| Survey-Strata | Obtain the survey-strata plan; review common property boundaries and shared obligations. |
| Rural Title | Check for water rights, access easements, and historical mining leases that impact land value. |
| Caveated Title | Identify the caveat claimant; arrange legal removal or withdrawal before applying. |
When to order additional documents
A standard property title search WA gives you the title register, but it does not include the full text of every registered instrument. If your title search reveals easements, covenants, or survey-strata specifics, you need to order additional documents:
- Deposited Plans or Strata Plans: Essential for understanding exact boundaries and common property for survey-str
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.
