Phoodilicious

Looking at rental properties some mention they are "fully water compliant". From my limited understanding based on some general googling, does this imply that unless a property is classified as "fully water compliant" the tenant is not charged for their water use directly and that the landlord pays this charge? Or is this to do with a fixed charge but usage is still payable by the tenant?

Buzzy--Bee

Which State? The laws on this vary between states.

BB

Phoodilicious

Oh yes sorry, Queensland and Brisbane specifically.

KJCherokee

From a plumbing contractor's website.

"Compliance and Certificates

WATER COMPLIANCE AND CERTIFICATES

As most property investors are aware, in order to on charge their tenants, the properties must now be water compliant to council standards and regulations.

Waterworks offers a water audit service to all rental properties and this service includes a full inspection of the property (approx 1hr) and we shall report if the property requires further work for compliance. If the property is not compliant we shall include quotes for repairs or replacement items as the council requires all plumbing items to be 4 star ratings or above

Example

All taps and mixer to have 4 star rating tapware or have water saving devices attached and no leaks or drips
Toilets – All toilets must be dual flush and 6Ltr / 3Ltr flush ratio.
some existing dual flush toilets are 9Ltr / 4.5Ltr. These are acceptable for water saving, however the property owners can not oncharge excess water useage unless the toilets are of 6Ltr / 3Ltr ratio under new regulations)


Once the property is water compliant, Waterworks Solutions provides a water compliance certificate for the property owner. This shall allow the property owner to oncharge excess water useage to tenants."

So as far as the tenant is concerned, if the property is certified as water compliant then any excess water usage can be charged back to the tenant - if it isn't certified then the landlord is responsible for excess water usage.

Items a tenant can be charged

A breakdown of water charges is shown below.


State Bulk Water Charge Yes, tenant can be charged*
Note: the bulk water rebate is no longer available in Queensland
Water Usage Charges Yes, tenant can be charged*
Sewerage Usage Charge (may appear on the bill as fixed or variable) No, tenant cannot be charged
Sewerage is not a service charge as defined by the Act and cannot be passed onto the tenant
Fixed Access Charges (including Water Access Charge and Sewerage Access Charge)
No, tenant cannot be charged
The lessor must pay all fixed charges for water supply

Amazulu

In Queensland it means that the landlord can pass 100% of the property's water useage onto the tenant

Phoodilicious

Thank you both. I'm not used to the landlord paying the water bill anyway, in the UK and US it has always been a bill we paid, waste services too so if the landlord pays any of the water bill that would be a bonus :-)