In Queensland, water charging rules for residential tenants are clearly set out under the Residential Tenancies and Rooming Accommodation Act 2008 (RTRA Act).
However, both tenants and landlords are often unclear about when water usage can legally be charged—and what the timeframes are for issuing and paying these bills.
Misunderstandings can lead to disputes, so it’s essential to know the facts.
Timing is a critical part of compliance when charging tenants for water.
The landlord or property manager must provide the tenant with a copy of the water bill within four weeks of receiving it from the water provider.
This deadline is mandatory—if the bill is not given to the tenant within this four-week window, the tenant is not required to pay the water usage charges.
This rule promotes transparency and ensures tenants have a fair chance to review and respond to the bill.
Tenants can only be charged for water usage if three key conditions are met.
First, the property must be individually metered—meaning it has its own water meter separate from other dwellings, or water is delivered by vehicle.
Second, the property must meet prescribed water efficiency standards. This typically means water-saving fixtures like dual flush toilets, low-flow showerheads, and taps must be installed.
Third, the tenancy agreement must explicitly state that the tenant is responsible for paying for water consumption.
If any of these conditions aren’t met, the tenant cannot be lawfully charged for water usage.
