GUIDES
MOVING HOUSE?
Download our moving house checklist to make things easier for you.
Moving house can be a stressful experience. Make the process easier by being organised by having a professional team on your side.
SELLING YOUR PROPERTY
Do you have a Mortgage on the property? Contact your Lender and discuss your requirements so there is a clear understanding of what funds are needed by your Lender at settlement.
Are all improvements to the property Council Approved? If not, make it clear on the Contract so the Buyer is aware of this.
Are there any items not to be included in the Sale?
Are there any items not in working order?
Are the Residual Current Devices and Hard Wired Smoke Alarms compliant?
If you do not reside in Perth, work away or planning on taking a trip during settlement, make sure you let your Settlement Agent/Conveyancer know immediately. This could cause delays in settlement and have a financial impact on you.
https://www.commerce.wa.gov.au/consumer-protection/selling-property-2
VERIFICATION OF IDENTITY
Important Changes to Australia’s Anti-Money Laundering and Counter-Terrorism Financing Laws – Effective 1 July 2026
We would like to advise you of important changes to Australia’s Anti-Money Laundering and Counter-Terrorism Financing (AML/CTF) laws that will affect conveyancing and property transactions from 1 July 2026.
The Australian Government has expanded the AML/CTF regime to include a range of professional service providers, including conveyancers. As a result, we are now legally required to undertake additional due diligence and verification procedures when acting on your behalf in property transactions.
What Does This Mean for You?
As your conveyancer, we must take reasonable steps to verify your identity and understand the nature of the transaction.
How Will These Checks Be Completed?
There are a number of approved service providers that offer electronic identity verification and AML/CTF compliance solutions to conveyancers and settlement agents.
To streamline this process and provide a secure and convenient experience for our clients, CPC Conveyancing has elected to use Easy AML to undertake identity verification and AML/CTF compliance checks.
Easy AML is an Australian digital verification platform that enables clients to complete required checks online using a smartphone, tablet, or computer. The platform guides you through the verification process, which may include:
- Uploading identification documents such as a passport, driver’s licence, or Medicare card.
- Completing facial recognition or liveness checks to confirm your identity.
- Answering questions relating to the transaction and source of funds.
- Electronically signing required declarations or acknowledgements where applicable.
- The process is designed to be secure, efficient, and user-friendly, allowing most clients to complete their verification without attending our office in person.
Will This Affect My Settlement?
In most cases, the additional requirements can be completed quickly and with minimal disruption. However, it is important that requested information and documentation are provided promptly, as delays in receiving the necessary information may impact transaction timeframes, including settlement dates.
Confidentiality of Your Information
Any information collected for AML/CTF compliance purposes will be handled in accordance with applicable privacy laws and our professional obligations. Easy AML uses secure systems to collect and verify information, and all information will only be used for legitimate compliance purposes as required by law.
Our Legal Obligations
Under the AML/CTF legislation, there may be circumstances where we are unable to proceed with a transaction if sufficient information is not provided.
How You Can Help
To assist us in completing your transaction efficiently, we ask that you:
- Complete any Easy AML verification requests promptly.
- Provide identification documents and supporting information when requested.
- Respond to questions regarding the transaction and source of funds in a timely manner.
- Advise us if there are any changes to ownership structures, beneficiaries, directors, trustees, or other relevant parties.
- Allow additional time for compliance checks where required.
While these additional requirements may involve providing more information than has previously been required, they are an important part of protecting the integrity of Australia’s property market and financial system.
TITLE INSURANCE
Title Insurance is becoming one of the most important types of insurance when buying a property in Western Australia today.
It is not Building Insurance, but a special insurance for the Title of the property.
With fraud on the increase over the last few years, we recommend Stewart Title to our Clients.
This is not just limited to purchasing a property, you can take out Title Insurance for your existing property/ies too.
Link to Stewart Title: http://www.stewartau.com/public/
RESIDUAL CURRENT DEVICES
(RCD’s) & Hard Wired Smoke Alarms.
When selling your property it is important to make sure it is compliant with current legislation for Residual Current Devices (RCD’s) and Hard Wired Smoke Alarms.
If your property does not comply at settlement, penalties may apply.
Please refer to the link:
rcd’s:
https://www.wa.gov.au/government/multi-step-guides/electrical-safety-home/rcd-safety-switches
smoke alarms:
updated in interconnected smoke alarms from 1.4.2014
https://www.commerce.wa.gov.au/sites/default/files/atoms/files/smoke_alarm_laws_for_existing_dwellings_0.pdf
BUYING YOUR PROPERTY-– Consider the following
Are you obtaining finance to assist with your purchase? Contact your Lender or Broker to discuss your requirements.
Check all improvements on the property are Council Approved – if not make it clear on the Contract how this is to be dealt with.
Are there any additional items you want to be included in the Purchase Price?
Are there any items not in working order that you need to be fixed before settlement?
Are the Residual Current Devices and Hard Wired Smoke Alarms compliant?
Do you need a: Termite/Building/Electrical/Plumbing/Pool or Airconditioner Inspection?
Is there a spa/pool on the property? Is this Council approved and are all items in working order?
If you do not reside in Perth, work away or are planning on taking a trip during settlement – make sure you let your Settlement Agent/Conveyancer know immediately as this could cause delays in settlement and have a financial impact on you.
If you require any other special conditions on the Contract discuss them with your Real Estate Agent before you enter into the Offer and Acceptance. We also recommend you contact your Settlement Agent to discuss your Contract prior to signing the Offer and Acceptance.
You can find more information about buying a property here:
https://www.commerce.wa.gov.au/consumer-protection/planning-buy-property