Rental property dual-flush deadline
As of 23 March 2025, New South Wales (NSW), Australia, new water efficiency rules aimed at promoting sustainability, reducing water waste, and ensuring fair usage across residential and rental properties will come into play.
Here’s what you need to know about the new water efficiency rules.
The legislation
Around 40% of household water is used in the bathroom, and the aim of this new legislation is to help reduce water waste and lower household bills for renters living in properties with older facilities.
Under the Residential Tenancies Act 2010, landlords can only charge tenants for water usage if the property is separately metered and it meets other requirements, including specific water efficiency measures.
From 23 March 2025 landlords must ensure rental properties have dual flush toilets with a minimum 3-star Water Efficiency Labelling and Standards (WELS) rating if they wish to pass on water usage charges to their tenants.
If a rental property does not meet the requirements, a landlord cannot pass on water usage costs to tenants.
What are the water efficiency measures?
For a rental property to meet water efficiency measures, it must have:
- for toilets – from 23 March 2025, all toilets on the property must have dual flush functionality and a minimum 3-star Water Efficiency Labelling and Standards (WELS) rating
- for cold water, and single mixer taps – a maximum flow rate of 9 litres per minute for internal kitchen sinks and bathroom hand basins. Taps for the bathtub, laundry sink, washing machines, dishwasher and outdoor taps are exempt from the 9 litre per minute flow rate requirement
- for shower heads – a maximum flow rate of 9 litres per minute
- no leaking taps or toilets anywhere on the property at the start of the tenancy and whenever the other water efficiency measures are installed, repaired or upgraded.
How to pass on water usage costs to tenant
Water usage charges must be billed separately from rent, and landlords must provide a copy of the water bill or another form of evidence. Tenants should be given at least 21 days to pay, and charges must not exceed the amount billed by the water provider.
More information about the new water charges can be found here.
Other tenancy reforms
This new legislation joins a number of tenancy reforms which came into play last year.
Landlords are now required to provide a valid reason for ending a tenancy for both periodic and fixed-term leases, The required notice period for renters in a fixed-term lease before their lease ends has increased, and landlords can no unreasonably refuse tenants with pets
Read more about these and other reforms, and what the impact is on landlords here.
How we make your life easier
By using our property management services, we can manage any upgrades needed to meet the new requirements are made to your property. Plus, we will save you time by doing the separate billing, and managing any queries your tenants may have about water charges.
Furthermore, as members of The Real Estate Institute of New South Wales (REINSW), the peak industry body for real estate agents and property professionals in NSW we do all the training to ensure we are up-to-date with the latest legislation; this means rental agreements, inspections, rent increases, and evictions follow the current laws.
This minimises the risk of legal disputes or penalties that could arise from non-compliance.
But keeping your property legal and safe are just one of the many things we manage. We carry out regular inspections, arrange maintenance with qualified and registered tradesmen, and maintain good communications with tenants. This gives you time to do the things you want to do, while giving you peace of mind your property is being properly managed and cared for.
As well as managing your property, we’re here to give you information to help you make informed decisions. We want you to get the best from your asset, and our experienced team, headed up by industry award-winning Kellie Andriessen, makes this happen.
Call us on 02 4956 9777, send us an email to mail@newcastlepropertymanagement.com.au or visit us in person in our Cardiff office to find out more.
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