Who is responsible for paying utility bills?
Utility bills are one of the most common disputes seen at tribunal.
One of the most common disputes in a tribunal is about the responsibilities of both parties relating to paying for utilities such as water, gas, electricity and telecommunications. These responsibilities will depend on a range of considerations including your dwelling type and council laws.
The way in which your property is set up with relation to metering will also impact on the responsibilities of both the landlord and the tenant. For example, in Queensland there are a set of steps that must be taken and fittings installed to have a qualified tradesperson certify your home as water efficient before you can charge your tenant for 100% of water consumption.
Key Takeaways
There are many deciding factors that will determine who will pay for utilities at your investment property.You should speak with your property manager about your legal obligations to understand what you can and cannot charge a tenant for your specific property.
