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Utility Disclosure Requirements

Find out who pays for utilities in your rental and what the landlord must disclose about metering and charges.

General information only — not legal advice. Utility rules depend on your specific lease terms and metering. Always check your tenancy agreement. Last updated: January 2026.

Water charges — the key rule

In every Australian state, a landlord can only charge a tenant for water usage if:

  • 1.The property is separately metered
  • 2.The property meets water efficiency standards
  • 3.The lease states the tenant is responsible

Fixed water supply charges are always the landlord's cost — they cannot be passed to the tenant.

Related tools

Water billing rights checkerMinimum standards checker

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