It has been just over a year since Western Australia introduced major rental reforms, aimed at creating stronger protections for tenants while also providing clearer guidelines for landlords. These changes recognised that renting is increasingly a long-term living arrangement for many Western Australians and sought to create greater stability, fairness, and the opportunity for renters to make their property feel like home.
Key Changes Introduced in July 2024
The reforms introduced four significant changes:
- Pets: Tenants can now keep pets in most cases, unless a landlord can demonstrate a valid reason for refusal (for example, where a strata by-law prohibits animals).
- Minor Modifications: Tenants may make small changes to their rental home, such as adding child safety devices, unless there are legitimate grounds for refusal (e.g. disturbing asbestos).
- Rent Increases: Rent can only be increased once every 12 months, giving tenants greater predictability and landlords clearer rent review timelines.
What This Means for Tenants
For tenants, these changes have created more security and flexibility. Being able to bring a pet or make small modifications helps transform a rental into a true home. The limit on rent increases has also brought peace of mind, particularly in a competitive market. Importantly, the Commissioner’s Determination process provides an accessible and less stressful way to resolve disputes should they arise.
What This Means for Landlords
For landlords, the reforms have meant adjusting to new requirements, but the impact has been relatively smooth. The clearer framework has made expectations easier to navigate. Limiting rent increases to once per year requires a more strategic approach to rent reviews, but it also reduces pressure and uncertainty around lease negotiations.
What We’ve Seen at Abel Property
Over the past year, we’ve observed some clear trends in the market:
- Less Rent Bidding: Since the ban on rent bidding, we’ve seen fewer tenants offering above-advertised rents at home opens. This has helped stabilise competition, making the process fairer for all applicants.
- More Pet Requests: We’ve noticed an increase in tenants requesting pets, which aligns with the new rules. These have generally been straightforward to manage and have rarely led to disputes.
- Minimal Issues Overall: Aside from these changes, the reforms haven’t created significant complications. Both landlords and tenants are adapting well, and the system seems to be operating as intended.
Staying Informed
For both landlords and tenants, staying informed about these reforms is the best way to ensure a positive rental experience. You can learn more about WA’s rental reforms at consumerprotection.wa.gov.au or by calling 1300 30 40 54.
At Abel Property, we’re here to support both sides of the rental relationship — ensuring landlords feel confident their investments are well managed, and tenants feel secure and at home. We’ll continue to monitor the impact of these reforms and share updates as the rental market evolves.
By Jessica Brewer – Head of Property Management, Abel Property