Perth Renters and Homeowners Speak Out on Duplicate Listing Photos That Hide Property Defects

Tenants and buyers across Perth's western suburbs are increasingly raising concerns about property listings that use outdated or duplicated photographs — images that show freshly painted walls, functioning appliances, and tidy gardens that bear little resemblance to what they find on moving day. The practice, while not new, has drawn sharper attention this year as the city's vacancy rate remains critically low and prospective renters say they cannot afford the time to inspect every property before signing a lease.

The pressure is real and measurable. The Real Estate Institute of Western Australia has previously reported Perth's rental vacancy rate sitting below one per cent for extended periods, leaving tenants in a position where they often accept a property based on photographs alone, particularly those relocating from interstate or overseas to take up AUKUS-related defence contracts at HMAS Stirling in Garden Island or new roles at Metronet construction sites across the northern corridor.

What Community Members Are Experiencing on the Ground

Residents across Fremantle, Victoria Park, and the northern suburbs of Balga and Mirrabooka have described arriving at rentals to find conditions inconsistent with listing photographs. In community Facebook groups linked to the Fremantle Tenants Network and through meetings held at the Mirrabooka Community Centre on Yirrigan Drive, people have shared accounts of kitchens photographed before appliance removal, bathrooms pictured prior to mould damage, and gardens shown in manicured condition that had not been maintained for at least a full season. These accounts have circulated widely since late May 2026.

One pattern raised repeatedly is the use of images carried over from a previous lease cycle — photographs taken when the property was last renovated, sometimes several years prior — then reused without disclosure in current listings. For families relocating under the state government's skilled migration pathways, who may be choosing a home from overseas via online platforms like REIWA.com or Domain, the gap between image and reality can mean signing a 12-month lease on a property that requires urgent repairs from day one.

Consumer Protection WA, which operates under the Department of Energy, Mines, Industry Regulation and Safety, handles complaints relating to misleading conduct in property transactions. Under the Australian Consumer Law, representations in advertising — including photographs — must not be misleading or deceptive. Tenants and buyers who believe listings have misrepresented a property's condition can lodge a complaint directly with Consumer Protection WA, with the Joondalup office on Grand Boulevard one of the more accessible regional access points for northern suburbs residents.

What Advocates and Industry Bodies Say Should Change

Property advocates connected to the Tenants WA office on Pier Street in the Perth CBD have been pushing for clearer voluntary disclosure standards, including date-stamping of listing photographs and mandatory re-photography requirements when a property changes hands between rental cycles. Tenants WA, which provides free advice and representation services, has noted that complaints about misleading visual advertising in rentals have formed a growing share of its caseload through the first half of 2026.

The state government's rental reform agenda, which produced amendments to the Residential Tenancies Act in recent years, did not specifically address photographic disclosure standards. Advocates argue that as Perth housing demand continues to be driven by Metronet corridor development attracting thousands of workers to areas like Ellenbrook and Yanchep, and as defence industry growth around Rockingham swells population numbers, updated standards are overdue.

Practically, tenants who cannot inspect a property in person before signing are advised by Tenants WA to request a video walkthrough conducted in real time, ask agents to confirm the date photographs were taken in writing, and document the property's condition with timestamped photos within 24 hours of taking possession. If significant discrepancies exist between listed images and the actual property, a formal dispute can be lodged with the State Administrative Tribunal, which handles residential tenancy matters in Western Australia. Filing fees at the SAT are means-tested, with no charge for concession card holders as of July 2026.