Everything you need as a tenant.
How to report maintenance, when rent is due, what happens at an inspection, how to ask about a pet, and what to do when it is time to leave. Written plainly, with your rights under WA law where they matter.
If you are a property owner, this page is also for you. Everything below is what your tenant is given, and the section on why it protects your investment is further down.
Something broken, leaking or not working? Log it in Tapi with photos. You get a ticket number and can watch it progress.
Open TapiEvery form in one place: renewals, pets, vacating, documents, feedback and a confidential channel.
All formsThe time does not suit? Ask for another. You do not need to be home either way.
Request a new timeGenuine emergency outside business hours? Log it in Tapi, then call. Urgent repairs are attended whatever the hour.
0422 238 434Your first week.
Four things worth doing early. The first has a deadline attached, so start there.
You have seven days from move-in to complete and return the property condition report. This is the single most important document of your tenancy. It records the condition of the home the day you moved in, and it is what your bond is assessed against when you leave. Be thorough. Note everything, including marks that were already there. Photos help. Anything missed now can be treated as your responsibility later.
Need a hand with it? Tell usElectricity, gas and internet are usually in your name from the day the tenancy starts. Water works differently, see the rent and water section below. If a connection is held up by something at the property, such as a missing meter box key or an unclear connection point, log it and we will sort it.
Tapi is where every maintenance request goes. Save the link now. Logging a job there rather than sending a text means it is timestamped, tracked and on the record, which protects you as much as it does the owner.
Open TapiAbout a week in we send a short check-in. It is a genuine question, not a formality. Anything unclear about how the home works, anything needing attention, anything we can make easier. Small things raised now are quick and cheap to fix. The same things raised in six months usually are not.
Move-in check-inOne channel. Tapi.
Every maintenance request goes through Tapi. Not a text, not a call, not an email to whoever you spoke to last. There is a reason for that, and it works in your favour.
Nothing gets lost.
A request logged in Tapi is timestamped, given a ticket number, and visible to you, the tradesperson and the owner at every stage. If there is ever a question about when you reported something, the record answers it. Requests sent by text disappear into an inbox, and that is exactly how a small leak becomes a ceiling repair.
More detail, faster fix.
- Photos, and a short video if the fault comes and goes
- Where in the property it is
- When it started and whether it is getting worse
- Any make or model number on the appliance
- When you are available for access
Log it in Tapi, then call 0422 238 434 if it is outside business hours. Urgent repairs are those affecting health, safety or security, or that will cause further damage if left. A burst pipe, a gas leak, a dangerous electrical fault, a blocked or broken toilet where it is the only one, no hot water, a serious roof leak, or a broken external lock leaving the property insecure. These are attended whatever the hour.
If there is a fire, a gas leak you can smell, or anyone is in danger, call 000 first.
What happens after you log it
Your request is on the record from the moment you submit it, with your photos and notes attached.
Your property manager assesses urgency and sends the job to a vetted, licensed and insured tradesperson. If it needs a quote first, that is requested.
Anything above the owner's pre-set approval limit needs their written sign-off. This is the step that sometimes causes a wait, and if it does, you will be told rather than left wondering.
You agree a time that works. You are entitled to proper notice before anyone enters, and you can ask for a time outside work hours.
Completion photos and the invoice go on the file. The ticket closes. If the fix did not hold, reopen it rather than starting a new one, so the history stays together.
Damage from normal living is the owner's responsibility to repair. Damage from misuse or neglect is generally the tenant's. Nobody enjoys that conversation, so the practical advice is simple: report things early and be straight with us about what happened. An honest account of a broken window costs far less than a disputed one.
What you pay, and what you do not.
Paid in advance, on the dates in your lease.
Your lease sets the amount, the frequency and the method. Rent is paid in advance, so being "paid to" a date means you are covered up to it. Set up an automatic transfer if you can, timed a day or two ahead of the due date to allow for processing and weekends.
Rent can only be increased once in any twelve month period, and only with the required written notice before it takes effect.
You pay usage. Not the service charge.
In Western Australia, only the water usage component can be passed on to a tenant, and only where your lease provides for it and the proper notice requirements are met.
Water service charges, sewerage charges and any interest are always the owner's responsibility and cannot be charged to you. If you are ever billed for those, query it. You will be right.
Tell us early. Before it becomes arrears if you possibly can. This is not about getting a lecture, it is about how many options exist: early on there is room to agree a workable arrangement, and much less room once several weeks have passed. Raising it early is read as someone managing their situation, not as a red flag.
There is a confidential form for exactly this in the Tenant Support Hub. Free financial counselling is also available from the National Debt Helpline on 1800 007 007, independently of us.
What actually happens at a routine inspection.
Most tenants find these more stressful than they need to be. Here is the honest version.
Four a year, maximum.
- No more than four routine inspections in any twelve months
- Written notice inside a prescribed window before entry
- You do not have to be home
- You can ask to reschedule if the time does not suit
- Captured as a 360 degree tour with a written report and dated photos
- The findings are shared with you, not just the owner
The house, not your housekeeping.
Water marks, leaks, cracking, damaged fittings, smoke alarms, anything suggesting a problem building quietly. Nobody is judging whether the dishes are done or the beds are made.
Reports are written in neutral, factual language. "Requires cleaning" means exactly that and nothing more. If something in a report seems unfair or wrong, say so and it will be looked at again.
An inspection is the best chance you get to raise small maintenance issues face to face. Things you have been living around because they did not feel worth a ticket. Mention them. That is the point of someone actually walking through the property.
Asking for a pet, or changing something.
Both have a formal process behind them, and both give you more rights than most tenants realise.
You can apply, and refusal is limited.
Apply using the prescribed Form 25 process. Consent cannot be unreasonably refused, and refusal is limited to specific prescribed grounds. The owner has 14 days to respond, and if they do not respond, the pet is permitted.
A pet bond may be required, currently $350, covering pet-related damage and fumigation. Assistance animals are treated differently and do not require the same consent.
Submit a pet requestMinor and major are different processes.
Minor (Form 26): picture hooks, curtain rods, shelving, child safety anchors, screen doors, garden beds.
Major (Form 27): painting, air conditioning, structural changes, fencing, security systems, anything needing council approval.
Both need the owner's written approval and the owner has 14 days to respond to either. Modifications for disability access or child safety carry additional protections.
Submit a modification requestThe cost of asking is a fortnight's wait. The cost of not asking is restoring the property at your own expense when you leave, and potentially losing part of your bond over something that would very likely have been approved. Put it in writing, get the answer in writing, keep the email.
Renewing, changing who lives there, or leaving early.
Each has its own form and its own timing. Pick the one that matches your situation.
A break lease is not a penalty you pay and walk away from. You remain responsible for rent and reasonable re-letting costs until a new tenant starts or your fixed term ends, whichever comes first. That means the earlier you tell us, the sooner the property can be marketed, and the smaller your final bill. Weeks of delay genuinely cost you money here.
Getting your full bond back.
Bond disputes are almost always avoidable. They come down to two things: the condition report you completed on day one, and how the property is left on the last day.
Thirty days before the lease end date on a fixed term, twenty-one days on a periodic tenancy. Submitting the notice to vacate form counts as your formal written notice, so you do not need to write a separate letter.
Give noticeBefore you start cleaning, pull up the report you completed when you moved in. That document is the benchmark. You are returning the property in the same condition, allowing for fair wear and tear. You are not required to leave it better than you found it, and marks you recorded on day one are not your problem now. This is why that first week matters so much.
Request a copyOven and rangehood filters, inside the dishwasher, window tracks, skirting boards, light fittings, blinds, the inside of cupboards, the garage floor, and the garden. Those are the items that come up again and again at final inspections. Carpets and gardens are commonly specified in leases, so check what yours says.
We inspect after you have handed back the keys, comparing the property against your original condition report. If anything needs attention you will hear specifically what it is, with photos, and generally get the chance to fix it yourself rather than being charged. Bond is then released through the Bond Administrator.
What happens, and when.
Nine points of contact across a tenancy. Tenants can see what to expect. Owners can see the system their property is being run on.
A welcome pack with everything needed: emergency contacts, how to log maintenance, a house guide, and access to the Tenant Support Hub. No scrambling, no confusion.
We reach out rather than waiting to be contacted. Is everything working? Is anything not as expected? This catches small issues before they become big ones.
Log a request whenever it suits. No waiting on hold, no chasing. Every request tracked and prioritised, and reported to the owner with photos, status and timelines.
Self-service for routine matters: renewals, pet requests, modifications, inspection reschedules, document requests and more, without needing to email or call.
Most agencies share inspection reports only with owners. We share them with tenants too. Transparency builds trust, and a tenant who sees the report acts on it.
Ninety days out, tenants are asked about their experience, anything unresolved, and whether they would like to renew. Time enough to fix concerns and avoid a sudden vacancy.
A full look at condition, ongoing issues, market rent and tenant satisfaction. Keeps the investment performing and the tenancy healthy.
Life happens. A clear, private route to reach out early. Early intervention prevents arrears and holds the tenancy together, which is better for everyone than letting it spiral.
Expectations set well in advance: cleaning standards, key return, final inspection checklist and bond timelines. Properties come back in better condition, with less downtime between tenancies.
The kind of tenancy people talk about.
"Daria is a true professional and so easily approachable. She works fast and it is an honour being a tenant with her."
"My husband and I are rent-vesters and have rented from Daria in two different houses. She is very responsive, caring, and methodical. She provides a good blend between looking out for the interests of the owners and the tenants."
"Recently secured a rental with Daria. Her service was excellent and I could not recommend her enough. Her willingness to assist and ensure everything was smooth was 5 star and greatly appreciated."
"The best thing I can do for my owners is make sure their tenants feel genuinely looked after. A tenant who feels heard and respected does not just pay rent. They treat the property like it is their own home."
REIWA 2025 Residential Property Manager of the Year · 2026 REIA National Awards Finalist
Independent support, outside us.
We would rather you had these and did not need them. Every one is independent of Local Property Partners.
If you are in immediate danger, call 000. For family and domestic violence support, 1800RESPECT on 1800 737 732 is available 24 hours a day, every day.
Why all of this protects your investment.
Most owners assess a property manager on how they are treated. It is worth assessing them on how their tenant is treated, because that is what actually determines the return. Everything above is a system, and every part of it serves the same purpose.
Things tenants ask us most.
Ask a real person.
Tenants: if something here does not cover your situation, get in touch. Every message is read and answered by someone who knows your property. Owners: a free rental appraisal, no obligation and no lock-in.
This page describes Local Property Partners' approach to tenant support and the systems we use, and provides general guidance for tenants renting in Western Australia. References to Form 25, Form 26 and Form 27 are to prescribed forms under the Residential Tenancies Act 1987 (WA). General information only, not legal advice. Where this page and your tenancy agreement differ, your agreement and the legislation prevail.
Read full disclaimers and legal notices
General information only
This page describes Local Property Partners' approach to tenant support, the systems we use, and how we communicate with tenants throughout a tenancy. It provides general information only and does not constitute legal, financial, or property advice. Specific tenancy situations may have legal complexities that require professional advice. Always seek independent advice before acting on tenancy-specific matters. Timeframes, bond amounts and notice periods stated on this page are current at August 2026 and subject to change.
Service area
Local Property Partners provides standard residential property management across the Perth metropolitan area, Western Australia. Co-living and room-by-room property management is provided only within the northern corridor of Perth, from the CBD to Yanchep, west to the coast. Our service offering and capacity may change over time.
References to WA prescribed forms
Form 25 (pet request), Form 26 (minor modification request) and Form 27 (major modification request) referenced on this page are prescribed forms under the Residential Tenancies Act 1987 (WA). The current versions and full guidance are available at WA Consumer Protection. Tenancy laws vary by state and territory, so this guidance applies to Western Australian tenancies only.
Reviews
Reviews shown on this page are real reviews from real Local Property Partners clients, used with consent. No testimonials, names, or details have been fabricated. Reviews are unedited except for minor formatting (such as line breaks) and do not constitute a guarantee of similar service experience.
Awards
REIWA 2025 Residential Property Manager of the Year was awarded by the Real Estate Institute of Western Australia. 2026 REIA National Awards for Excellence Finalist refers to selection as a finalist by the Real Estate Institute of Australia.
About Local Property Partners
Licensed real estate agency operating in Western Australia. Director and Licensee: Daria Tedling. Triennial Licence No. RA85442. ABN 48 582 232 398. Phone 0422 238 434. Email hello@localpropertypartners.com.au. See our Privacy Policy for how we handle personal information.