Water rates, who pays for what?

Question from Ankarra updated on 4th October 2006:

Hi, We are currently renting and we also have a property of our own. This is concerning the new waste water/water bill. Do we as tenants need to pay the new waste water bill as it used to be part of the rates bill which the landlord pays. But now the water/waste water bill has been dropped round for us to pay, do we pay the whole lot or just the water bill?

Our expert Jeff Montgomery responded:

You may be responsible for paying water charges for your rented property, but only if all three of the following conditions are met:

• The property has a separate water meter; and

• The tenancy agreement that you signed at the beginning of the tenancy states that you as tenants are responsible for paying for any metered water provided to the property; and

• The water supplier charges for water supplied to the property on the basis of metered usage.

If any or all of the above conditions do not apply to your situation, you will not be responsible for paying for water charges to the property. For more information I suggest you visit www.dbh.govt.nz where there is fact sheet on water charges.

The Department of Building and Housing provides information and guidance on building law and compliance, services including weathertight homes, and advice for tenants and landlords.



 

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