[ADVICE] Can they make us pay this???

I just found this on the RTA website:

Lessors (landlords) are allowed to pass on the full water consumption costs to tenants provided all the minimum criteria have been met.

What are the minimum criteria for water charging?
Lessors will be able 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.


So I guess I'm in the clear. The agent said the landlord sent her the bill to have it chased up. I don't know if this is true or not, because honestly.......... he should know the laws. And he should know what our original agreement says. I thought he was a decent guy, but now I'm wondering. I feel like someone, either agent or landlord is trying to take advantage, and hoping I'll just pay it without questioning.

It's upsetting when people try to take advantage of you. And even worse when you don't know who's behind it all!

i live in melb too and i am qlfd as a property manager am also a tenant, it does not have to be in writting as it is law that the tenant has to pay for the water usage.

unless stated in a lease that the landlord will pay for the water, then the tenant pays.

but it also states on the RTA website

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.

:

---

i live in melb too and i am qlfd as a property manager am also a tenant, it does not have to be in writting as it is law that the tenant has to pay for the water usage.

unless stated in a lease that the landlord will pay for the water, then the tenant pays.

---

I was actually thinking when I read this thread that I have never heard of not paying water bills. I always assumed that rent includes just rent, not bills or anything else (unless it's share accommodation) But seems most people replying didn't think it was strange that the OP didn't have to pay water bills, I thought maybe I was missing something?

:

---

i live in melb too and i am qlfd as a property manager am also a tenant, it does not have to be in writting as it is law that the tenant has to pay for the water usage.

unless stated in a lease that the landlord will pay for the water, then the tenant pays.

---

I was going to say the same.

Rates and water usage are not the same thing. And if you haven't received a bill in the time since you arrived, it would be considered your responsibility to follow it up, just as if you didn't receive an electricity bill.

Every time I have moved into a new rental property I have called the water authority along with elec, gas, and phone when moving in. It's a utility you should pay for it.

BUT you may be able to organise a payment plan.

I don't think your landlord is being dodgy at all. You didn't know the law and he probably didn't either. He probably thought you should be paying water so passed the bill on to the RE agent.

You may be asked to sign a new lease now ;)

So as it was not in you're lease agreement with you're landlord, you are responsible for the water usage, not the landlord.

i would be ringing up you're water supplier and ask them about the bill for the property. and who'se name it is under.

speak to the Prorperty manager, and ask if the bill is actually from the water supplier or the landlord? and ask for a copy of the bill/s in question.

In QLD I never paid for water, didn't even know some people had to! Since moving to Melbourne I've had to pay (BOOO!!) so using my awesome powers of deduction I'm thinking the rules might be a bit different state to state. Although it looks like QLD is starting to figure out the whole paying for water thing.

We have never paid for water either and we are on the Gold Coast. We recently signed a lease and the bit where we agree to pay for water was crossed out..

ive been renting in qld for 10yrs and have never had to pay the water.
at our newest place we get the reading sent to us but no bill.

it seems astho they are going along the path of making tenants pay for water usage unless stated.


you will find that most states have the same laws in regards to water.

i know in NSW..The minimum criteria for passing on water usage charges is:

the rental premises must be individually metered (or water is delivered by vehicle, such as those with water tanks on rural properties) and
the charges must not exceed the amount billed for water usage by the water supplier and
the rental premises must meet required ‘water efficiency’ standards


its basiclly the same thing

Yeah, the rules were different in qld until recently. I've never been asked to pay for water.

I have no problem with the change, am just spewing about the way it's been dumped on us, with a letter requesting pmt in 14 days. Any changes to the agreement should be done with 2 months notice, according to the RTA.

Why they didn't let us know about the change is beyond me.

Totally understand! I'd be pi$$ed too!!! I wonder why we still don't have to pay? We are in a complex maybe?

Wow, I wish we didn't have to pay for water!! In Melbourne you have to pay for everything! When we signed our lease the agent told us it would be a good idea to take out renters insurance. She said because if a burglar breaks into the house WE would have to pay to fix the window!!!:o

some landlords are lazy. none more so then mine. *rolls eyes*

if you are unsure ring the RTA and ask them

But if the premises aren't water efficient then you aren't liable for the entire bill if I am reading that correctly? So if he hasn't istalled what he is meant to then you need to work out what proportion of the bill is "reasonable".

I aslo think he should have to re-install the insulation - especially if you can demonstrate a clear increase in electricty costs since it has been removed.

from what i understand, they must give you a months notice.

also from the chart, if you have an agreement even if you're a periodic lease, that states, you as the tenant must pay for water, if this isnt mentioned then the lessor ( landlord) must pay.

nai, from what i can understand its just one condition as to where the lessor can pass on full water charges to the tenant.