Managing your rental property
Who’s responsible for what in a rental can be a source of confusion when renting out a property.
Does the property owner or tenant get the water bill? If I have a water leak, who pays?
If you’re renting out your property, here’s a rundown of your responsibilities to ensure a smooth landlord-tenant relationship.
Is your tenant moving in or out of your property?
You can request a meter reading before a new tenant moves in or out. This ensures the tenant isn’t charged for water they haven’t used. Please note charges apply for meter readings.
Who pays for water use and service charges in a rental property?
Your water bill includes service charges (water rates) and water use charges, which are issued every 2 months.
As a property owner, you are responsible for paying your property’s service charges.
Depending on your rental agreement, tenants usually pay for their water use, either through you or directly to us.
If you're renting out a property, you can choose to:
1. Receive a combined bill yourself.
2. Get a separate bill sent to your tenant for their water use charges, which they can pay directly to us.
Regardless of who receives the bills, the property owner is always liable for any outstanding amounts. Learn more about overdue bills.
If you share a water meter with other properties, learn more about how we charge properties with a common supply.
Can tenants request a bill extension?
If your tenant receives the water use bill from us, they can apply for a bill extension.
If you receive the combined water bill, however, then you’ll need to apply on their behalf for an extension.
Set up tenant billing
If you want your tenant to receive their water use bill, you can set this up in one of two ways:
- Complete the change my details form
- Online account – log in to your account and select ‘Update property details’ to opt in for tenant billing.
What happens when a bill is overdue?
We're legislatively required to send all payment reminders and overdue bills to you, even if the tenant receives the water use bill. When this happens, you'll need to speak to the tenant to resolve any overdue charges.
If you use a property manager, you will still get the overdue notice because you are legislatively responsible for all overdue charges. Please speak to your managing agent to follow up on the charges with the tenant.
Who is responsible for a water leak in a rented property?
While tenants are generally responsible for the water they’ve used, this does not include leaks.
The cost of leaks and repairs lies with the property owner, unless outlined in your rental agreement.
If you’ve received a high water bill due to a leak, then you may be eligible to apply for a leak allowance.
Easily manage your properties online
With an online account, you can manage all your rental properties, bills and personal details in one place.
Don’t have an online account? Register now.
Set up tenant billing
If you want your tenant to receive their water use bill, you can set this up by logging into your online account and selecting ‘Update your personal details’.
Add a property to your online account
Whether you’re an owner or property manager, here’s how to add a property to your account.