The Essential Pre-Listing Checklist Every Perth Seller Should Know

When you’re selling your home, it’s not just about making it look good for photos and home opens. What really matters is making sure everything behind the scenes is in order. Small things like outdated smoke alarms, missing garage remotes or a leaky tap might not seem important, but they can cause stress and even delay settlement if they aren’t sorted out early.

At Noble Avenue, we believe it’s always better to prepare ahead of time. That’s why we’ve put together a Pre-Listing Checklist for Perth homeowners. It helps you make sure your property is safe, compliant and ready for buyers, so the selling process runs smoothly from start to finish.

1. Safety and Compliance

Before your property goes on the market, a few safety requirements must be in place under WA law.

• Smoke alarms must be hard-wired and less than 10 years old.

• RCDs (Residual Current Devices) are required on power circuits, with at least two installed and working.

• Pool or spa compliance is a must, and you’ll need a valid certificate from your local council if this applies to your home.

Our advice: getting these sorted before listing gives buyers peace of mind that your property is properly maintained.

2. Fixtures, Fittings and Working Order

Anything that’s included in the sale should be in good working condition. Buyers will check and test these things at inspection, so being upfront helps avoid disputes later.

• Plumbing and gas: taps, toilets, showers, hot water systems and gas appliances.

• Electrics: oven lights, rangehoods, ceiling fans and any appliances staying with the home.

• Reticulation: sprinklers and irrigation systems should be functioning, whether manual, automatic or bore-fed.

If something isn’t working and you don’t plan to repair it before settlement (for example, an old wall air conditioner that no longer functions), the best approach is to disclose it to your agent early. This way, buyers know what to expect and you won’t face uncomfortable conversations or delays during the final inspection.

Shirley’s tip: buyers almost always test the reticulation at the final inspection. If it’s not working, it can hold up settlement. Have it checked before you list.

3. Documentation and Approvals

Paperwork can be just as important as presentation.

• Strata information if your property is part of a strata.

• Council approvals for any extensions, renovations or additions. If something doesn’t have approval, it needs to be disclosed.

• ATO clearance certificate, which is required for every seller. Without it, the ATO can withhold part of your sale proceeds.

Jay’s tip: even something small like a patio or pergola without approval can become a problem. Double-check before you go to market.

4. Smooth Handover

One of the biggest causes of last-minute stress is missing keys, remotes or codes.

• Keys for all doors, screens and windows.

• Garage remotes that are working and ready to hand over.

• Other remotes for ceiling fans, split system air conditioners, roller shutters or fireplaces.

• Security systems including alarm codes, camera passwords or doorbell apps.

Karen’s tip: keeping a simple checklist of what you’ll hand over avoids awkward conversations on settlement day.

Why this checklist matters

Selling a home in Perth’s northern coastal suburbs is an exciting step, but it’s easy for small issues to snowball if they’re not addressed early. A pre-listing checklist keeps everything on track, reduces the chance of disputes, and helps you present your property with confidence.

At Noble Avenue, we guide our sellers through each stage of the process. With more than 30 years of experience in Hillarys, Karrinyup, Sorrento, Mullaloo and beyond, we know how to make sure your sale is as smooth and stress-free as possible.

Thinking of selling?

If you’re planning to put your home on the market, our team is here to help. Download our full Pre-Listing Checklist or book a free, no-obligation appraisal today.

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