Landlords and tenants
Can I ask my tenant to pay water usage charges?
Can Unitywater bill tenants directly for water usage?
Can I ask my tenant to pay water usage charges?
The Residential Tenancies Authority administers the legislation relating to tenants, and has detailed information and guidelines about water charging. The following information is an extract from the RTA website:
Lessors (landlords) are only allowed to pass on the full water consumption costs to tenants if:
- the rental premises are individually metered (or water is delivered by vehicle); and
- the rental premises are water efficient; and
- the tenancy agreement states the tenant must pay for water consumption.
Water efficient premises should meet the 3-star WELS rating, which is:
- a maximum flow rate of nine litres per minute for showerheads, internal cold water taps and single mixer taps (excluding taps for bathtubs and appliances); and
- dual flush toilets using less than 6.5 litres on full flush, 3.5 litres on half flush and 4 litres for the average flush volume (based on the average of one full flush and four half flushes).
If the premises are individually metered but not water efficient, and the agreement states the tenant must pay for water, the lessor must pay for a reasonable amount of water. The lessor and the tenant should agree upon what is a reasonable amount at the start of the tenancy and include the amount as a special term in the tenancy agreement. The tenant is liable for any consumption above the agreed amount.
You can find more information and download a useful RTA water charging fact sheet from the RTA website or phone 1300 366 311.
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Can Unitywater bill tenants directly for water usage?
No, Unitywater only sends accounts to the property owner (landlord) and cannot bill tenants directly for water usage. Unlike other utilities, there is currently no direct billing relationship between Unitywater and the tenant.
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