WA community title / strata buyer conveyancing checklist
WA strata and community title purchases are governed by the Strata Titles Act 1985 and the Community Titles Act 2018. This checklist is for WA settlement agents and solicitors acting for buyers of lots in strata and community schemes.
This is a 12-step Western Australian buyer-side conveyancing checklist for community title and strata purchases. It covers section 156 disclosure, by-laws, levies, insurance, reserve fund, Landgate transfer, and settlement.
The checklist
Review the section 156 seller disclosure
Confirm the seller has provided the strata information disclosure before the contract and check by-laws, levies, and insurance details.
Obtain the scheme documents
Request the scheme plan, scheme by-laws (Schedule 1 and 2), and any exclusive use designations.
Order a strata company search
Request financials, minutes, and insurance from the strata manager or strata company.
Check levies, arrears, and special levies
Confirm current levies, any arrears against the lot, and any pending special levies for capital works.
Review the 10-year maintenance plan
For schemes of 10+ lots or buildings worth $5m+, review the 10-year maintenance plan and reserve fund.
Review by-laws for lot use restrictions
Check by-laws on pets, short-term letting, parking, renovations, and commercial use against the buyer’s intended use.
Confirm insurance cover and currency
Verify the strata company insurance covers the building, common property, and public liability at an adequate sum insured.
Assess the JFA and settlement agents duties
Confirm the Joint Form of General Conditions applies and review any special conditions added to the offer.
Calculate transfer duty and concessions
Calculate WA transfer duty, including first home owner rate, residential rate, and any off-the-plan concession.
Order land tax clearance certificate
Request a land tax certificate from RevenueWA so no vendor land tax liability passes to the buyer.
Prepare Transfer of Land and verify identity
Draft the Landgate Transfer of Land form, complete VOI, and load the PEXA workspace.
Notify strata company post-settlement
Give notice of change of ownership to the strata company under section 110 and confirm Landgate registration.
When this checklist applies
Use for every Western Australian residential purchase of a strata lot or community title lot.
Common pitfalls
- Relying on a seller disclosure that is out of date or missing by-laws
- Missing a pending special levy in the strata company records
- Overlooking the 10-year maintenance plan shortfall
- Not notifying the strata company under section 110 within 14 days
- Forgetting that WA has no statutory cooling-off for residential contracts
Run this checklist on a real matter
Quillio reviews WA seller disclosure and strata records, flags by-law and levy issues, and drafts transfer documents on a live WA strata matter. See /practice-areas/property-lawyers or start a free trial.
General guidance for WA community title and strata buyer matters. Adapt for leasehold schemes, staged community schemes, and commercial lots.
Use this checklist on your matter.
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