There are new laws about who must alert water providers when a tenant moves into or leaves a rental property.
These changes to the Water Act 1989 became effective from 1 July 2012. They apply only when a property or site has its own water meter. They affect:
- tenants in private rental properties
- caravan park residents, and
- site tenants in movable dwellings.
When a tenant starts living at a property, the landlord (or owner or operator) must inform the relevant water provider.
When a tenant leaves the property, the tenant must inform the water provider.
The rules have not changed for properties without a separate meter.
The Water Act is administered by the Department of Sustainability and Environment. For more information, visit the Department of Sustainability and Environment website.