Major change for Aussie landlords could see renters avoid paying quarterly bill
Some Aussie tenants living in houses with outdated bathrooms will soon be able to dispute their water bill if toilets aren't upgraded to meet new standards. From March 23, landlords in NSW will need to ensure they're providing a dual-flush button with a minimum three-star water efficiency rating on all toilets.
'Improving water efficiency in rental properties is an important step towards improving the quality of rental homes in NSW and ensuring we have secure, reliable water sources for the future,' the state's rental commissioner Trina Jones said on Thursday.
Under rental guidelines in NSW, landlords can only bill for water usage if the property is separately metered, so most tenants in apartments don't need to pay. But those living in houses often do, and it's then that specific water requirements must be met.
Under existing regulations, the water requirements are:
All taps should be leak-free at the start of a tenancy and after upgrades and repairs.
A maximum flow rate of nine litres per minute needs to be ensured on shower heads, internal cold water taps, kitchen and bathroom taps.
Adding the dual-flush requirement will bring NSW in line with Queensland. And while this seems like a small measure, older toilets can use up to 11 litres per flush, compared to three litres in a modern half flush and six litres for a full flush. It's estimated a family of four could save up to 35,000 litres of water a year if they use a dual flush system.
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For years, Australians have periodically had to comply with water restrictions. But with climate change making weather extremes more severe and frequent, residents in some areas could expect them more often. In most Australian homes, bathrooms account for around 40 per cent of water usage, so ensuring they're modernised is seen as an easy win for the environment and the hip pocket.
Any NSW tenant who believes they're being unfairly charged for water is urged to contact Fair Trading.
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