In Queensland, you can pass the full water usage charges on to a tenant, but only if the property meets set conditions. If it doesn’t, you could be paying for water you expected your tenant to cover. The RTA’s water charging page has the full rules.

The four conditions

A tenant can only be charged for all water consumption if:

  • the property is individually metered (or water is delivered by vehicle)
  • the property is water efficient
  • the tenancy agreement says the tenant pays for water consumption
  • you give the tenant a copy of the bill within four weeks of receiving it.

The tenant then has four weeks to pay.

What counts as water efficient

  • Internal cold water taps and single mixer taps over basins, sinks and laundry troughs: no more than 9 litres a minute.
  • Showerheads: no more than 9 litres a minute.
  • Toilets: dual flush, no more than 6.5 litres full and 3.5 litres half flush.

Outdoor taps, bath taps and appliance taps don’t need to comply. Fixtures rated three stars or more under the WELS scheme generally qualify.

What can be passed on

  • State bulk water charge: yes
  • Water usage charges: yes
  • Sewerage usage charges: no
  • Fixed access charges for water and sewerage: no, the owner pays these.

A tenant can never be charged more than the amount on the bill.

Keep the evidence

Keep plumbing compliance reports, receipts, packaging or manuals showing your taps and showerheads meet the standard. Record the meter reading in the entry and exit condition reports, too. It’s needed to charge for a partial billing period.

If it isn't water efficient

If the property is metered but not water efficient, the owner must pay for a “reasonable amount” of water, and the tenant can be charged for the excess. The law doesn’t define a reasonable amount, so agree it with the tenant and write it into the agreement as a special term.

Don't miss the four weeks

If the bill isn’t passed on within four weeks of you receiving it, the tenant doesn’t have to pay it. We pass water bills on as they arrive, and check water efficiency before a new tenancy starts.