Lyla Lindsey
When purchasing a home in Western Australia, it is important to understand the different types of titles that a property can fall under, as this determines the rights and usage of the property. One of the most common types of titles in Western Australia is the green title. This refers to land that typically has no shared common areas unless specified on the certificate of title. The name green title originated from the earlier practice of shading the property sketch on the certificate of title in green. Green titles offer complete autonomy as there is no common property shared with neighbouring owners. However, even with a green title, there may still be restrictions or guidelines on how the land can be used.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name origin | The name "green title" comes from the practice of shading the property sketch on the certificate of title in green. |
| Definition | Green title refers to land that typically doesn't have any shared common areas, unless otherwise specified on the certificate of title. |
| Ownership | An individual owns the entire parcel of land outright without shared common areas. |
| Common areas | There are generally no common areas or services that need to be shared. Each green title lot has its own independent utility connections and street access. |
| Usage restrictions | Even with a green title, there may still be restrictions or guidelines on how the land can be used. For example, the Water Corporation may have access rights for sewer lines, and local government authorities may have regulations on building placement. |
| Comparison to survey strata | Survey strata is similar to green title but allows for commonly owned areas such as driveways and shared utility connections. Survey strata provides more flexibility in development and autonomy, while minimising shared property responsibilities. |
| Popularity | Green title is the most common type of land ownership in Western Australia, especially for free-standing homes or rural lots. |
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What You'll Learn
Green title vs strata title
When purchasing a home in Western Australia, the type of title your property falls under can affect your right of use, so it is important to understand the differences between each title.
Green Title
A 'green title' property refers to land that generally has no common areas that need to be shared (unless otherwise indicated on the certificate of title). The name "green title" originated from the fact that the sketch on the certificate of title used to be shaded in green. The majority of land sold in Western Australia is green title and is most commonly a property that houses a freestanding home. Green title offers complete autonomy, as there is no common property shared with neighbouring owners. Most green title properties are free-standing homes or rural lots. Green titled or Torrens titled lots are created under the Transfer of Land Act 1893.
Strata Title
Strata title, on the other hand, typically involves the owner having sole ownership of a designated cubic space within a building, as well as shared ownership of the land and other buildings on the property. It is important to consult the Strata Plan to determine the exact boundaries of your strata lot. As a strata title owner, you are also granted rights to use certain "common property" areas, such as communal laundries, swimming pools, gyms, stairwells, and gardens. However, it is crucial to understand that common property is shared among all property owners within the strata scheme. As a buyer of a strata title property, you will have various responsibilities, including complying with by-laws or rules of the strata company, paying levies for strata scheme administration (including insurance and maintenance of common property), and participating in meetings where decisions on budgets, repairs, and improvements are made. Of all the types of titles, strata titles come with the most responsibility for buyers as there are a number of duties and restrictions that are likely to apply. Strata titles are created by virtue of the Strata Titles Act 1985.
Survey Strata
Survey strata is a unique type of title that carries similar traits to both green title and strata title but is treated differently. It is generally used for single-tier developments where lots are side by side. Typically, this involves an existing large green title lot being formally surveyed into smaller subdivided lots with distinct boundaries. Survey strata titles offer unique advantages for property owners and developers in Western Australia, including flexibility in development, autonomy, and increased value. The rights and obligations of survey strata titles are essentially the same as green titles. Survey strata plans are prepared by a licensed surveyor who maps the land division in compliance with the Strata Titles Act 1985 (WA).
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Green title vs purple title
In Western Australia, there are four main types of property titles: green title, purple title, strata title, and survey strata. The type of title a property falls under is an important consideration when purchasing a home as it determines the rights and usage of the property.
Green Title
A green title property refers to land that generally has no common areas that need to be shared unless otherwise indicated on the certificate of title. The majority of land sold in Western Australia falls under the green title category and typically houses a freestanding home. The name "green title" originates from the fact that the sketch on the certificate of title used to be shaded in green. Even with a green title, there may still be restrictions or guidelines on how the land can be used. For example, the Water Corporation may have the right to access or install a sewer line, which could impact the ability to install a pool or build an extension.
Purple Title
A purple title, on the other hand, is a type of ownership that came into existence after World War II, particularly for multi-storey residential properties. These properties were divided by transferring ownership to a company, where shareholders were entitled to occupy specific parts of the building. Ownership was based on shareholding rather than traditional land titles. There aren't many of these older properties remaining, but some new developments, especially in retirement villages, may still use the purple title system. If considering a purple title property, it's important to determine if there are specific agreements among shareholders that allow you to occupy the property upon transferring the shares.
Key Differences
The main difference between green and purple titles lies in the nature of ownership and the presence or absence of shared common areas. Green titles offer complete independence from neighbouring lots in terms of servicing and ownership, while purple titles rely on shareholding for ownership and may involve shared occupancy of specific parts of a building. Green titles are the more common type of property title in Western Australia, while purple titles are less common and mostly found in older properties or certain new developments.
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Green title vs survey strata
When purchasing a home in Western Australia, the type of title the property falls under is an important consideration as it determines the rights and usage of the property. The most common types of titles in Western Australia are green title, purple title, strata title, and survey strata.
A "green title" property typically refers to land that has no shared common areas, unless otherwise specified on the certificate of title. It is called a "green title" because, historically, the sketch on the certificate of title was shaded in green. Green title lots are also known as freehold lots, and each lot must have its own independent utility connections and street access. The majority of land sold in Western Australia falls under the green title, and it usually involves a freestanding home. However, even with a green title, there may be restrictions on how the land can be used. For example, the Water Corporation may have the right to access or install a sewer line, which could impact the owner's ability to build an extension or install a pool.
A "survey strata" title, on the other hand, is typically used for single-tier developments where lots are side by side. It involves subdividing an existing large green title lot into smaller lots with distinct boundaries under the Strata Titles Act 1985. Survey strata lots may have shared common areas, such as driveways, and all owners within the survey scheme contribute to the insurance and maintenance of that common property. The rights and obligations associated with survey strata titles are similar to those of green titles.
In summary, the fundamental difference between green title and survey strata lots lies in the nature of common areas and utility connections. While green title lots typically have no shared common areas and require independent utility connections, survey strata lots may have shared common areas and utility connections. Additionally, green title lots are created under the Transfer of Land Act 1893, while survey strata lots are created under the Strata Titles Act 1985.
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Green title meaning
In Western Australia, the title of a property determines the rights and usage of the property. One of the most common types of titles in the region is the "green title". A green title refers to the traditional form of property ownership in Western Australia, where an individual owns the entire parcel of land outright, without any shared common areas unless specified on the certificate of title. The term "green title" originated from the earlier practice of shading the property sketch on the certificate of title in green.
Green title properties generally have no common areas or services that need to be shared, and each green title lot must have its own independent utility connections and street access. This means that if you own a green title property, you have complete autonomy over the land, as there is no common property shared with neighbouring owners. However, it's important to note that even with a green title, there may still be restrictions or guidelines on how the land can be used. For example, the Water Corporation may have the right to install or access a sewer line, which could impact your ability to install a pool or build an extension. Additionally, local government authorities, especially in rural areas, might restrict where buildings can be placed on the property, known as a "building envelope".
Green title is often the preferred method of subdivision in Western Australia, as people typically prefer to have their own street frontage and their own service connections. Most green title properties are free-standing homes or rural lots. Green title is also known as Freehold Title or Torrens Title and is the most common type of land ownership. This usually applies to a typical residential suburban house with its own yard, although some townhouse or courtyard blocks also have green titles. As a green title owner, you are responsible for the cost of all rates, services, maintenance, and improvements to the property.
It's important to understand the differences between the various types of titles when purchasing a home in Western Australia. Another type of title is "strata title", which was introduced to provide separate ownership of individual units in multi-storey buildings. In a strata title, an owner typically has sole ownership of a designated cubic space within a building, along with shared ownership of the land and other buildings on the property. Strata titles allow for the division of a single land title into smaller lots, and ground-level developments are also included. Duplexes, triplexes, townhouses, villas, and units are usually on strata titles. As a strata title owner, you have rights to use certain "common property" areas, but you also have various responsibilities, including complying with by-laws, paying levies, and participating in meetings.
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Green title subdivisions
In Western Australia, the title of a property determines the rights and usage of the land. One of the most common types of titles is the "green title". A green title property typically refers to land that has no common areas that need to be shared, unless otherwise indicated on the certificate of title. The name "green title" originated from the fact that the sketch on the certificate of title used to be shaded in green.
The Green Title subdivision process requires the landowner to obtain approval from the local council and other necessary authorities. The land must meet certain criteria, including adequate size and configuration to comply with local zoning laws and regulations. The subdivision process can also involve the installation of new infrastructure such as roads, driveways, drainage, and utilities to support the new lots created.
Side-by-side green title subdivision is the preferred method of subdivision in Western Australia. This is because people generally prefer to have their own street frontage and their own service connections. A green title lot, also known as a freehold lot, refers to land or lots that generally have no common areas or services that need to be shared. This means that the owner of the green title lot owns the title to the land on which their home stands, including all of its services.
It is important to note that even if a property has a green title, there may still be restrictions or guidelines on how the land can be used. For example, the Water Corporation may have the right to install or access a sewer line, which could impact the owner's ability to install a pool or build an extension. Additionally, local government authorities, especially in rural areas, may have regulations on where buildings can be placed on the property, known as a "building envelope".
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Frequently asked questions
A green title property refers to land that is typically owned outright by an individual, with no shared common areas unless specified on the certificate of title. It is the most common type of land ownership in Western Australia, often featuring free-standing homes or rural lots.
The term "green title" originated from the earlier practice of shading the property sketch on the certificate of title in green.
Green title properties generally have no common areas or services that need to be shared. This means that each owner has their own independent utility connections and street access. However, it's important to note that there may still be restrictions or guidelines on how the land can be used, such as regulations imposed by local government authorities.
Survey strata is another type of title in Western Australia that involves subdividing a large green title lot into smaller lots with distinct boundaries. Survey strata developments may have shared common areas, such as driveways, and all owners contribute to the insurance and maintenance of these areas. Green title offers more autonomy as there is no common property shared with neighbouring owners.
