What Tenants Can Be Charged For
Yes, Tenants Pay For:
✅ Bulk water charges
✅ Water usage charges
No, Tenants Don’t Pay For:
❌ Sewerage usage charges
❌ Fixed access charges
(like water or sewerage access fees)
What Counts as “Water Efficient”?
A property is water efficient if:
- Taps & Mixers: Maximum flow of 9 litres per minute
- Showerheads: Maximum flow of 9 litres per minute
- Toilets: Dual flush, using no more than 6.5L full flush, 3.5L half flush
Look for 3-star or higher WELS-rated fixtures.
How Water Bills Work
- The landlord receives the bill and then passes usage charges to the tenant.
- Tenants have 1 month to pay after being shown the bill.
- Tenants will not be billed directly by the water company.
Partial Billing (When Dates Don’t Match)
If a tenancy starts or ends mid-billing cycle:
- Meter readings must be noted on the entry and exit reports.
- Charges are based on a fair estimate of the tenant’s actual use.
- If readings aren’t recorded, tenants may not have to pay for that period.
To avoid confusion or disputes, both tenants and landlords must take a few simple steps. Water meter readings should always be recorded at the beginning and end of the tenancy, and water responsibilities must be clearly set out in the tenancy agreement. Landlords should also keep proof that the property is water efficient, such as receipts or plumbing reports. If disagreements do arise, the RTA dispute resolution service is available to help resolve the matter fairly.
