Are your properties compliant?
Water Efficiency Certification – What is required and how we can help.
Changes to the residential tenancy laws started on 23 March 2020, with amendments to the Residential Tenancies Act 2010 (the Act) and the new Residential Tenancies Regulation 2019 (the new Regulation).
There are certain plumbing requirements that need to be carried out for all properties including residential and commercial buildings that are currently tenanted.
So what are the changes?
The changes aim to reduce disputes over repairs and maintenance, increase protection and certainty for tenants, and clarify the rights and obligations of tenants and landlords.
What does this mean for landlords?
For a landlord to be able to pass on water usage charges to the tenant, the residential property must be
- separately metered, meet the water efficiency measures, and the charges must not exceed the amount payable by the landlord.
The changes require additional water efficiency measures which include
- All taps and toilets on the property now need to be checked at the start of a tenancy so that any leaks are fixed.
- Taps and toilets must also be checked whenever any other water efficiency measures are installed, repaired or upgraded and any leaks fixed.
- From 23 March 2025, all toilets in rented properties must be dual flush with a minimum three-star rating in accordance with the Commonwealth Water Efficiency Labelling and Standards (WELS) scheme. The WELS scheme uses a rating system to help consumers make informed choices about the water efficiency of products they buy. Landlords who intend to replace or upgrade existing toilets in their property should consider installing dual flush toilets with a minimum three-star WELS rating to meet the water efficiency requirements by 23 March 2025.
This requirement applies to existing and new tenancy agreements from 23 March 2020. More information on the new regulations can be found on the Fair Trading website.
CRG Plumbing & Maintenance offer a certification service for all properties who need to comply with the new regulations.
A property is only considered water efficient if it meets these standards.
- No leaking taps or toilets – 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
- Shower heads – Maximum flow rate of 9 litres per minute
- Internal cold water taps and single mixer taps for kitchen sinks or bathroom hand basins – Maximum flow rate of 9 litres per minute
- Dual flush toilets From 23 March 2025: all toilets on the property are dual flush and have a minimum 3-star WELS rating
How can CRG Plumbing & Maintenance assist you and your customers?
If you own or manage a property that is currently being tenanted, we can organize to inspect the property to determine if it meets the requirements. If the property meets the requirements in accordance to the Residential Tenancies Act 2010 (the Act) and the new Residential Tenancies Regulation 2019 (the new Regulation) we will provide you and your landlord a certificate of compliance and remind you annually to check for any changes.
To learn more about this service and out Water efficiency Certification service click here.
If you would like to ask us a question send it through to info@crgplumbing.com.au
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Until next time, keep those wipes out of the toilet, call a professional, and always
Remember:
- skilled plumbers aren’t cheap
- cheap plumbers aren’t skilled.
Cameron & Renee, CRG Plumbing & Maintenance – your trusted plumber.
