· Executive Properties
Owners of quality homes are often asked whether short stay or a longer lease is the better option. The answer depends on the property, the location and the owner. What is not optional is understanding which set of rules applies.
Where the line sits.
Under section 4 of the Short-Term Rental Accommodation Act 2024 (WA), a short-term rental arrangement is one where a home is provided to the same person or people for a period or periods not exceeding a total of three months in a 12-month period. Since 1 January 2025, short-term rental accommodation in WA must be registered and the registration number displayed on advertising.
Leases for longer than that are residential tenancies under the Residential Tenancies Act 1987 (WA).
What a residential tenancy involves.
- A written agreement on the approved form
- A security bond lodged with the Bond Administrator within 14 days
- Entry and exit condition reports
- Rent increases no more than once every 12 months, with 60 days written notice
- Rules on pets and minor modifications, with disputes heard by the Commissioner for Consumer Protection
What short stay involves.
Short stay brings registration, local planning rules that vary by council, nightly pricing, frequent cleaning and changeovers, and guests who come and go. Some owners do it well. It is a hospitality business as much as a property one.
Why we only do three months plus.
We focus on residential leases longer than three months because that is where careful tenant selection, proper paperwork and steady management protect a quality home. It also suits the professionals and families we lease to, who want a home rather than a booking.
If you are weighing up the options for your property, request a rental appraisal and we will show you what a residential lease is likely to achieve.
Common questions
Is a three-month lease a short stay in WA?
An arrangement totalling three months or less in 12 months is a short-term rental arrangement under the Short-Term Rental Accommodation Act 2024. Leases need to run longer than three months to sit outside it.
Do short-stay properties need to be registered in WA?
Yes. Registration became mandatory from 1 January 2025, and the registration number must be displayed on advertising.
Does Executive Properties manage short stays?
No. We only write residential leases for longer than three months.
General information only, current at the date of publishing. It is not legal or financial advice. Check the linked official sources or speak to a professional about your situation.