I would call it smart and strategic for property owners to ask their real estate agents, or property managers to implement a water efficiency compliance certificate from their local plumber!
Tenancy laws and regulations actually came into effect on 31 January 2011 requiring that the rental property must comply with water efficiency guidelines at the start of a new lease. If these guidelines are not met the property owner cannot charge the tenant for excess water usage.
For property owners with older properties, retrofitting water restrictors or tap upgrades will be very common. The cost to upgrade should only be a one off cost though! New property owners should not require a tap wear upgrade, unless the owner has renovated the bathrooms or kitchen himself and installed non-compliant tap wear! This is a common problem we Plumber’s face in the plumbing industry.
Property owners can pass on water usage charges to tenants if:
- The water bill does not exceed the dollar value passed on by the water supplier.
- The rental property does actually meet the water efficiency standards.
- The rental property is individually metered.
A rental property is considered water efficient if it meets these standards:
- All internal cold water taps and single mixer taps for kitchen sink's and bathroom hand basins have a maximum flow rate of 9 L/minute.
- Showerheads have a maximum flow rate of 9 L/ minute.
- No leaking taps anywhere on the premises at the start of the tenancy or when the other water efficiency measures are installed.
When a tenant and a property owner enter into a new agreement after 31 January 2011 the property owner has to ensure the premises are water efficient in order to pass on water usage charges.
If you work in real estate or are a property manager in the Gold Coast area, one of our plumbers from Blackjade Plumbing can to assist you with your WEC requirements.
Please call 0421667087 or drop us an email at info@blackjadeplumbing.com.au
