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WA buyer-side residential conveyancing checklist

Western Australian residential conveyancing runs on the REIWA/Law Society joint form contract and under the Transfer of Land Act 1893. This checklist is for WA solicitors and settlement agents acting for residential buyers.

In short

This is a 12-step WA buyer-side conveyancing checklist. It covers the REIWA Contract for Sale, special conditions, searches, duty, and settlement under Western Australian law.

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12-step checklist

The checklist

1

Review the Contract for Sale

Check the REIWA Contract for Sale, the Joint Form of General Conditions, and all special conditions annexed.

Transfer of Land Act 1893 (WA)
2

Confirm finance approval

Verify the finance condition is satisfied and notify the seller by the finance date.

3

Arrange building and pest inspections

Arrange independent inspections and confirm reports within the due diligence period.

4

Run title and strata searches

Order title search, strata plan and documents (if applicable), and any caveats registered on title.

Transfer of Land Act 1893 (WA)
5

Order local authority searches

Order council rates, water, and land tax searches from Landgate and the local authority.

6

Check planning and zoning

Confirm zoning, planning approvals, and any heritage overlays affecting the property.

Planning and Development Act 2005 (WA)
7

Calculate transfer duty

Calculate WA transfer duty and check for first home owner rate or foreign buyers duty surcharge.

Duties Act 2008 (WA) s 25
8

Check FHOG eligibility

Assess first home owner grant eligibility and prepare the grant application if applicable.

First Home Owner Grant Act 2000 (WA)
9

Prepare Transfer of Land

Draft Form T1 Transfer of Land and confirm client VOI per Landgate Customer Information Bulletin 285.

Transfer of Land Act 1893 (WA)
10

Calculate adjustments

Calculate council rates, water, and strata levy adjustments as at settlement date.

11

Attend settlement

Coordinate settlement through PEXA or paper settlement with the outgoing mortgagee and lender.

Electronic Conveyancing Act 2014 (WA)
12

Post-settlement confirmation

Confirm title registration at Landgate, provide settlement statement, and advise on insurance.

When to use

When this checklist applies

Use for every WA residential buyer matter from instructions through to post-settlement.

Common pitfalls

  • Missing a finance date and losing contractual termination rights
  • Not checking foreign buyers duty surcharge
  • Missing strata levy arrears
  • Overlooking heritage listings in older suburbs
  • FHOG ineligibility through not meeting occupation requirement
Use with Quillio

Run this checklist on a real matter

Quillio can review the REIWA contract, run this checklist on a live WA matter, and flag settlement risks. See /practice-areas/property-lawyers or start a free trial.

General guidance for WA residential buyer matters. Adapt for off-the-plan, rural, or commercial transactions.

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