DavidMc,
From experience dealing with this issue - my advice would be to suffer the initial cost of a plumber's report. It lasts forever, and then if a tenant decides to challenge you on the issue (which they consistently do), you have some grounds to fight back.
In practice, when you send a tenant a water consumption charge bill, you must give them reasonable time to pay, typically 30 days. If they do not pay the full amount in this time, there is no way under the Act to punish them specifically. They may be issued a breach notice for failure to comply with an article stipulated in their tenancy agreement. If they ignore the notice, then you may go through the process of sending them further breaches, and then a Notice to Leave. This seems extreme for a water charge bill and they will usually do all they can to get out of the situation.
Excuses usually include: That they reported a dripping tap months ago and it was not repaired, therefore they may not pay for the charges. Or that the toilet was running, or that their is a leak in their pipes somewhere.
At least if you have a plumbing report - you can email it to them and call their bluff.
Also remember, the RTA in QLD has absolutely no power. No power to enforce anything under the act, and no power to penalise anybody who does not comply with their 'Guidelines'. Any matter that is taken to the full extent of the law will end up in a QCAT tribunal and the adjudicator typically favours tenants unless the landlord has obtained the certificate of water efficiency compliance.
It's also tax deductible (Consult your taxation agent for specific advice)
From experience dealing with this issue - my advice would be to suffer the initial cost of a plumber's report. It lasts forever, and then if a tenant decides to challenge you on the issue (which they consistently do), you have some grounds to fight back.
In practice, when you send a tenant a water consumption charge bill, you must give them reasonable time to pay, typically 30 days. If they do not pay the full amount in this time, there is no way under the Act to punish them specifically. They may be issued a breach notice for failure to comply with an article stipulated in their tenancy agreement. If they ignore the notice, then you may go through the process of sending them further breaches, and then a Notice to Leave. This seems extreme for a water charge bill and they will usually do all they can to get out of the situation.
Excuses usually include: That they reported a dripping tap months ago and it was not repaired, therefore they may not pay for the charges. Or that the toilet was running, or that their is a leak in their pipes somewhere.
At least if you have a plumbing report - you can email it to them and call their bluff.
Also remember, the RTA in QLD has absolutely no power. No power to enforce anything under the act, and no power to penalise anybody who does not comply with their 'Guidelines'. Any matter that is taken to the full extent of the law will end up in a QCAT tribunal and the adjudicator typically favours tenants unless the landlord has obtained the certificate of water efficiency compliance.
It's also tax deductible (Consult your taxation agent for specific advice)