Perth Neglected Property Fines - Western Australia

Housing and Building Standards Western Australia 3 Minutes Read · published February 11, 2026 Flag of Western Australia

Perth, Western Australia property owners can face local enforcement where buildings or land are left neglected, unsafe or unsightly. This guide summarises how the City of Perth and relevant authorities approach neglected properties, common breaches, enforcement routes, and practical steps for reporting, paying or appealing decisions. It focuses on municipal processes and official contacts so owners, tenants and neighbours know the immediate actions and longer-term remedies available under local law.

Penalties & Enforcement

Local enforcement for neglected or dilapidated properties in Perth is administered by municipal compliance teams and authorised officers under the City of Perth local laws and powers delegated from state legislation. Specific monetary penalties for neglected-property offences are not specified on the City of Perth reporting page cited below; see the contact link and resources for governing instruments and consolidated local laws.Report a problem[1]

  • Enforcer: City of Perth Rangers, Compliance and Community Safety officers or other authorised municipal officers.
  • Orders and notices: the City may issue improvement or repair notices, clean-up orders, building repair notices or restraining notices.
  • Fine amounts: not specified on the cited page.
  • Escalation: first, repeat and continuing offence processes are managed by issuing notices followed by fines or prosecution where compliance is not achieved; exact escalation amounts and daily rates are not specified on the cited page.
  • Non-monetary sanctions: enforcement can include repair or demolition orders, seizure of dangerous materials, referral to building regulators, and prosecution in the Magistrates Court.
  • Inspection and complaints: complaints are lodged to the City of Perth via the official report-a-problem process and will be triaged for inspection.
  • Appeals/review: internal review processes and external review avenues such as application to the State Administrative Tribunal may apply; specific time limits for appeals are not specified on the cited page.
  • Defences and discretion: authorised officers exercise discretion and owners may rely on permitted works, existing permits, or a demonstrated reasonable excuse; where statutory defences exist they appear in the controlling instrument rather than on the report page.
If a property presents an immediate safety risk, contact the City of Perth promptly via the official report page.

Applications & Forms

The City of Perth handles reports and initial enforcement via its online "Report a problem" portal and general compliance contacts; there is no separate publicly published "neglected property" form on that page. For matters requiring building or planning approvals, separate building permit applications or development approval forms administered by state or City planning/building sections may be required; check the City of Perth permits pages and WA building regulator for those specific forms.

Common Violations and Typical Outcomes

  • Derelict or structurally unsafe buildings - repair or demolition notice; possible prosecution if unaddressed.
  • Accumulated rubbish, overgrown vegetation or vermin risks - clean-up order and cost recovery.
  • Unauthorised works or unapproved changes - stop-work notices and requirement to obtain retrospective approvals.
Costs for enforced clean-up can be recovered from the property owner.

Action Steps

  • Report the issue via the City of Perth online report portal and provide photos and an address for inspection.
  • Keep records of any correspondence, notices and dates of inspections.
  • If you are the property owner, engage a builder or licensed contractor promptly and seek any necessary permits.
  • If you disagree with a notice, ask the City for an internal review and note appeal deadlines in the notice or seek external review avenues.

FAQ

Who enforces neglected-property rules in Perth?
The City of Perth Rangers and Compliance officers enforce local laws and can issue notices; the City’s report-a-problem portal is the official complaint route.[1]
How long before the City acts on a complaint?
Response times depend on risk and case load; exact inspection timeframes are not specified on the City report page and will vary by complaint priority.

How-To

  1. Prepare: take clear photos, note the full address and describe hazards or nuisances.
  2. Report: submit the information through the City of Perth "Report a problem" portal.
  3. Follow up: retain any reference number, respond to City requests and provide access where required for inspection.
  4. Comply or appeal: if you receive a notice, act within the stated period or lodge an internal review/appeal as advised in the notice.

Key Takeaways

  • Neglected properties are dealt with by City of Perth compliance teams and can attract orders, costs and prosecution.
  • Report issues via the City’s official portal and keep records of conversations and notices.

Help and Support / Resources

  1. [1] City of Perth - Report a problem: dilapidated or dangerous buildings

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