A landlord has requested their tenants pay a further $110 to cover shared water usage, sparking fury among renters in the unit block.
The renter, who lives in Victoria, said they had been asked to pay the flat rate every month to reimburse the landlord for the essential utility.
In a letter to tenants, which the renter shared to Reddit, the property owner states the exact water usage for each tenant in the block cannot be measured.
The property manager explained the landlord was covering the cost of water supplied by Yarra Valley Water because the units are not separately metered.
‘We do ask that this month when paying the normal rent an additional $110 is made towards the cost of the water usage,’ the letter states.
‘YVW advised that as it was unable to accurately determine each unit’s consumption of water, it would need to be done privately through the real estate agent.
‘As managers of the property this can be done perhaps next meter reading.’
The furious tenant slammed the request for reimbursement.
A landlord has requested their tenants pay a further $110 to cover shared water usage, sparking fury among renters in the unit block (the letter announcing the charge is pictured)
The renter, who lives in Victoria, said they had been asked to pay the flat rate every month to reimburse the landlord for the essential utility (stock)
‘How nice landlords appeal to their tenants to give more,’ they wrote.
‘This agent thought it would be fair to ask for reimbursement for shared water usage.
‘There are five units on this block, and recently, the tenants have had rent increases (again).’
Consumer Victoria guidance states that, if a property has its own meter, the renter must pay for the water they use, as well as the sewage disposal charge.
However, if there is no means of measurement, the rules are different.
‘If a property doesn’t have its own meter, the rental provider must pay,’ the state government body said.
Aussies also lashed the request, with one commenter suggesting a response to the agent quoting the Consumer Victoria guidance.
‘Whilst I appreciate the landlords position. If you can’t accurately measure my water usage I will not be paying this water usage flat rate,’ they said.
The furious tenant slammed the request for reimbursement for water usage (stock)
Another user said: ‘Is this a new version of ‘tip your landlord’ because it isn’t rent and there’s no invoice just please can I have some money.’
A third said: ‘What a bulls*** notice.’
‘Do not pay it, tell them to look up the law,’ a fourth agreed.
