Minor Modification Application
Minor Modifications for Rentals
What Tenants Can Change, How to Apply, and What Landlords Can Reasonably Ask
Renting should feel like home. In WA, the law allows tenants to request small changes—known as minor modifications—with clear rules protecting both tenant rights and landlord responsibilities.
What Is a Minor Modification?
Minor modifications are small, non-structural changes that help make a rental feel more personalised. They include:
- Hanging picture hooks, installing curtain rods, or setting up shelves
- Installing flyscreens, window coverings, LED bulbs (no new fittings)
- Adding wireless doorbells, security lights, or interim security systems
- Lever-style taps, water-efficient or handheld showerheads, draughtproofing
- Adding a vegetable or herb garden, or child safety devices
Anything not on this list is considered a major modification and follows a different, more involved approval process.
Step-by-Step Process: How to Apply for Minor Modifications
01. Complete Form 26 – Minor Modification Request
Fill in the details, what change you're requesting, location, and why. Keep a copy for your records, then submit it to your Property Manager at Peak Central.
Form 26 – Minor Modification Request
02. Landlord Response Within 14 Days
The landlord must reply in writing within 14 days. They can:
- Approve
- Approve with Conditions (some may need Commissioner approval)
- Refuse (only for legally accepted reasons or with Commissioner involvement)
If there's no response within that timeframe, the modification is automatically approved.
03. Reasonable Grounds for Refusal
Landlords can only refuse when:
- It would disturb asbestos
- The property is heritage-listed
- Strata or council bylaws forbid it
- It breaks a written law
These reasons don't require Commissioner approval.
Other valid reasons requiring Commissioner involvement include:
- Excessive maintenance costs
- Restoration cost exceeding bond
- The property becomes unsafe or inaccessible
- Tenant served termination noticene.
04. Commissioner Review (if needed)
If the landlord refuses or imposes conditions needing approval, they must apply to the WA Commissioner for Consumer Protection within 14 days. Tenants can also appeal to the Commissioner if they believe the refusal or condition is unreasonable.
Tenant & Landlord Responsibilities
Tenant responsibility:
- Pay for the modification and have it done (if required) safely and professionally
- Provide invoices if required
- Restore the property at tenancy end—unless otherwise agreed
Landlords can:
- Impose reasonable conditions (e.g., qualified tradesperson, proof of work done, codes for security systems)
- Ask for Commissioner approval when needed
Why It Matters
Benefits for Tenants and Landlords
- Tenants can personalise their home while following a clear, lawful process
- Landlords retain control and can protect their property, provided they act within the law
- The process fosters respectful landlord‑tenant communication and practical, fair outcomes
Ready to Apply?
If you're in WA and want to make your rental property feel more like home, simply download Form 26 and tell your landlord. We'll guide you through each step, and help resolve any uncertainty with clear, fair support.
