THE next stage of the state government rental reforms will commence at the end of the month, giving tenants more certainty in their budgets and allow them to feel more at home in their properties.

From Monday, July 29, rent increases will only be allowed to occur once every 12 months instead of every six months.

The minimum 12-month timeframe will begin immediately for periodic tenancies, while for fixed-term tenancies it will start once the current term of the lease agreement ends.

Pets will be mostly allowed, with the landlord only able to refuse if written laws, local laws or by-laws prevent them, or if a good reason can be provided to the commissioner for Consumer Protection.

Tenants will need to seek permission from the landlord to keep a pet and landlords can impose reasonable conditions.

Some conditions will require the approval of the commissioner.

Minor modifications - such as hanging pictures on a wall, putting up flyscreens or installing a water-saving shower head - are also now allowed in most cases. The tenant will need to get the permission of the landlord.

Disputes about minor modifications and pets will be considered by the commissioner for Consumer Protection, who will hear from both sides before making an independent ruling.

These latest reforms follow the implementation in May 2024 of a ban on soliciting rent bidding and empowering tenants to challenge retaliatory action by landlords in court.

A streamlined bond release process is expected to be introduced in early 2025.

Commerce Minister Sue Ellery said a rental will feel more like a home now that tenants are allowed to keep pets where reasonable and make their own small, personalised changes to the property.
“Empowering the commissioner to handle disputes about pets and minor modifications will allow for these issues to be resolved in a fast, fair and transparent way.”

Further information about the Western Australian rent reforms is available on the Consumer Protection website at www.commerce.wa.gov.au