Do I need to disclose known plumbing issues when selling a house in Perth?

Disclosure requirements depend on the specific issue and current WA property law, so this is worth discussing directly with your conveyancer or agent rather than guessing. As a general principle, being upfront about known issues tends to lead to smoother negotiations than a buyer discovering them independently.

What plumbing issue most commonly comes up in a buyer's building inspection?

Ageing pipework in older homes, hot water system age and condition, and any visible leaks or water damage are among the most common findings that lead to buyer questions or renegotiation.

Should I fix a slow drain before listing, or leave it?

Small, cheap fixes like clearing a slow drain are usually worth doing before listing, since they're inexpensive to resolve but can otherwise become a point buyers use to negotiate a bigger price reduction than the fix actually costs.

Is it worth getting a pre-sale plumbing inspection done proactively?

For an older property, or one that hasn't had plumbing looked at in years, it can be worth it. Knowing about issues before a buyer's inspector finds them gives you the choice to fix, price around, or disclose upfront, rather than reacting under pressure mid-sale.

Plumbing checks before you sell your house in Perth

By Julian Fischer · Updated 2026-08-30

Plumbing issues have a habit of surfacing at the worst possible time in a sale, usually during a buyer’s building inspection, right when you’re trying to keep momentum toward settlement. A bit of groundwork before listing can prevent avoidable delays and give you more control over how any issues are handled.

What buyers and inspectors tend to focus on

Building inspections and buyer walk-throughs commonly flag a handful of plumbing-related items: visible leaks or water staining, the age and apparent condition of the hot water system, any signs of ageing or corroded pipework, and drainage issues like slow drains or damp patches near outdoor gully traps. None of these need to be dealbreakers, but finding out about them yourself, before a buyer does, puts you in a much stronger negotiating position.

A simple pre-listing checklist

Fix small, cheap issues now. A dripping tap or a slow drain costs little to resolve and avoids becoming a bigger negotiating point than it deserves to be.
Check the hot water system’s condition and age. If it’s old or showing signs of wear, decide whether to replace it, disclose its age, or price the property with that in mind.
Look for visible leaks or water staining. Under sinks, around the base of toilets, and near the hot water system are common spots worth a proper look.
Confirm gas compliance if applicable. Buyers or their inspectors may ask about certification for any gas work on the property.
Consider a drain check for older homes. If the property has established trees or is on original clay drainage, a CCTV check can rule out (or catch early) root intrusion before a buyer’s inspector does.
Check gutters and downpipes. Overflowing or rusted gutters are an easy thing for a buyer’s inspector to flag; our wet season gutter maintenance guide covers what to look for.

A plumber conducting a general pre-sale plumbing check under a kitchen sink in a Perth home, daylight, no text overlays

When to schedule the check

Timing matters more than people expect. A plumbing check done too close to your listing date leaves little room to actually fix anything significant before the first open home, while one done too early risks new issues developing before settlement. A sensible middle ground is to have the check done four to six weeks before you plan to list, which gives enough time to get quotes, complete straightforward repairs, and decide how to handle anything bigger, without the pressure of a live campaign already underway.

Deciding what’s worth fixing versus disclosing

Not every issue needs fixing before you list. Weigh the cost of repair against how it’s likely to be perceived: cheap, quick fixes are almost always worth doing, while bigger issues, like a full re-pipe of an older home, might be better handled through pricing or clear disclosure rather than a rushed repair. Your selling agent and conveyancer can help you weigh this properly for your specific situation.

Item	Typical buyer concern	Worth fixing before listing?
Slow drain	Minor, but noticeable	Usually yes, low cost
Old hot water system	Replacement cost looming	Depends on age, disclose or replace
Visible pipe corrosion	Signals wider ageing infrastructure	Get assessed, decide case by case
Uncertified gas work	Compliance and safety concern	Get certified before listing

Working with your agent on the outcome

Once the check is done, share the findings with your selling agent rather than deciding alone what matters. An experienced agent will have a good sense of how buyers in the current Perth market tend to react to specific issues, whether that’s shrugging off a minor cosmetic flaw or seizing on an ageing hot water system as a negotiating point. That local, current market knowledge, combined with the actual repair estimate from your plumber, gives you a much more informed basis for deciding what’s worth fixing, pricing around, or simply disclosing upfront.

This is general practical guidance, not legal advice about your specific disclosure obligations when selling a property in WA. Speak with your conveyancer or agent about what applies to your situation.

To arrange a pre-sale plumbing check, our directory of local plumbers is ranked using our published scoring methodology, based on rating, review volume, recency and sentiment.

Frequently asked questions

Do I need to disclose known plumbing issues when selling a house in Perth?: Disclosure requirements depend on the specific issue and current WA property law, so this is worth discussing directly with your conveyancer or agent rather than guessing. As a general principle, being upfront about known issues tends to lead to smoother negotiations than a buyer discovering them independently.
What plumbing issue most commonly comes up in a buyer's building inspection?: Ageing pipework in older homes, hot water system age and condition, and any visible leaks or water damage are among the most common findings that lead to buyer questions or renegotiation.
Should I fix a slow drain before listing, or leave it?: Small, cheap fixes like clearing a slow drain are usually worth doing before listing, since they're inexpensive to resolve but can otherwise become a point buyers use to negotiate a bigger price reduction than the fix actually costs.
Is it worth getting a pre-sale plumbing inspection done proactively?: For an older property, or one that hasn't had plumbing looked at in years, it can be worth it. Knowing about issues before a buyer's inspector finds them gives you the choice to fix, price around, or disclose upfront, rather than reacting under pressure mid-sale.