WA property research - due diligence before you buy

Discussion in 'Property Information Resources & Tools' started by EmmaCummings, 25th May, 2021.

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  1. EmmaCummings

    EmmaCummings Member

    Joined:
    22nd May, 2021
    Posts:
    8
    Location:
    Western Australia
    Here are 8 tips for researching a WA property before you buy

    1. Title search

    Do a title search of the property through Landgate and then search each encumbrance listed in the Second Schedule (except for Mortgages because they are discharged on transfer).

    Search Caveats, Restrictive Covenants (which may be expired), Notifications, Easements, Memorials and other encumbrances.

    Searching encumbrances is important as the documents will tell you what interests affect the property (ie rail noise, contamination, noise and restrictions on property use).

    Link: Home - Landgate

    2. Interests affecting a property

    You can order a Landgate Property Interest Report for each property you are interested in. This report provides a detailed overview of all of the interests which affect the property and those which do not. Follow the below link to a sample report which will give you an idea of the type of information the report includes (ie zoning, mosquito problems, aircraft noise, land area, Floodplain area, market gardens). I have uploaded a sample report with this thread.

    Property Interest Report - Landgate

    3. Contamination

    The WA Department of Water and Environmental Regulation has a free public database which will give you the heads up if a property is contaminated or has been remediated for restricted use.

    Database link: ArcGIS Web Application

    DWER link: Finding information on contaminated sites in Western Australia - Department of Water and Environmental Regulation

    4. Heritage Interests

    To check if the property is heritage listed, search both the WA database (Inherit) and the Federal register (National Heritage List)

    WA Heritage Council - inHerit - State Heritage Office

    National Heritage List - Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment

    5. Council search (Planning department)

    Write to the local council and request planning information such as:

    · Proposed road widening or infrastructure development

    · Proposed developments and redevelopments for nearby properties which may affect the property you are interested in

    · Plans for land re-zoning


    6. Council search (General request)

    Make a request to the relevant council for a list of planning approvals and orders and requisitions. Orders and requisitions – will provide you with information about any orders issued by the council to the current registered proprietor which have not been satisfied. Orders could include health order, engineering orders or approval orders.

    Approvals – will tell you which structures on the property are approved (structures not listed will not be approved).


    7. Water Corporation

    Water Corporation offers a free public search database which will tell you if the property has a water connection, a sewer connection and the annual rates.

    Link: My Water - Property search


    8. Dial before you dig

    If you need information about the property specific to redevelopment (ie location and nature of services connected to the property), you can do you own searches an obtain the plans for each service connected: water, gas, electricity and communications.

    Link: Home - DBYD
     

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