Can my landlord charge me for water usage in New South Wales?

Q: Can a landlord deduct cleaning costs from my bond in NSW?

Yes, a landlord can deduct cleaning costs from your bond in NSW, but only if the property is not reasonably clean. The law requires you to leave the premises in the same condition as when you moved in, minus fair wear and tear. They cannot charge for a professional clean automatically if it is already clean.

Q: Can my landlord show my property to potential buyers while I am still living there in NSW?

Yes, your landlord can show your property to potential buyers while you live there in New South Wales. However, they cannot simply drop in. They must give you 14 days' written notice before the property is first advertised, and 48 hours' notice before each inspection. Inspections are strictly limited to two per week.

Q: Can I make repairs myself and deduct the cost from rent in New South Wales?

No, you cannot simply make repairs yourself and deduct the cost directly from your rent in New South Wales. You are legally required to continue paying your rent in full. However, for specific urgent repairs, you can arrange the work yourself up to the value of $1,000 and claim a reimbursement from your landlord.

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Answer

Yes, your landlord can charge you for water usage in New South Wales, but only if the property is individually metered, meets specific water efficiency standards, and your tenancy agreement states you must pay for water. They must also provide you with a copy of the water bill within three months.

Residential Tenancies Act 2010 (NSW) - Section 39

Last UpdatedMay 1, 2026

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How it works in practice

The laws around water charges in New South Wales are carefully designed to protect both tenants and landlords while encouraging water conservation.

Understanding Water Usage Charges

In New South Wales, landlords are permitted to pass on the cost of water usage to tenants, but this is heavily regulated by the Residential Tenancies Act 2010. To legally charge you for the water you consume, three strict conditions must be met simultaneously.

Individual Metering

First, the rental premises must be individually metered. This means there is a dedicated meter measuring the exact water consumption of your specific property. If you live in an apartment block with a shared meter, the landlord cannot charge you for water usage.

Water Efficiency Standards

Second, the property must meet strict water efficiency standards. This requires all internal cold water taps, showerheads, and single lever mixers to have a maximum flow rate of nine litres per minute. The property must also be free of any leaking taps or toilets at the start of the tenancy.

Billing Requirements

Finally, the tenancy agreement must explicitly state that the tenant is responsible for water usage charges. When billing the tenant, the landlord must provide a copy of the actual water bill or meter reading within three months of receiving it. The tenant then has 21 days to pay the amount owed.

Important exceptions

There are several exceptions where a landlord cannot legally charge you for water usage in New South Wales.

If the property does not have its own individual water meter, you are not required to pay for water usage. This is common in older apartment buildings or granny flats that share a main meter.

Additionally, you cannot be charged for water supply charges, sewerage, or fixed availability charges. These fixed costs are the strict legal responsibility of the property owner, not the tenant.

Finally, if the landlord fails to request payment within three months of receiving the water bill, they waive their right to charge you for that specific billing period.

What you should do now

Check your tenancy agreement to confirm there is a clause stating you are responsible for paying water usage charges.
Verify that your rental property has its own individual water meter that solely measures your household's water consumption.
Ensure the property meets legal water efficiency standards, including flow limits on taps and showerheads, before paying any charges.
Request a copy of the official water bill from your landlord or agent to confirm the exact usage and calculation.
Pay the water usage amount within 21 days of receiving the valid notice and copy of the official water bill.

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