Hi everyone
Received a letter from my PM informing me of the lovely new requirements re water efficiency in NSW.
According to the letter:
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I am not allowed to charge for water unless:
1. all taps are not leaking
2. all cold water or mixer taps in kitchen and bathrooms must have a maximum flow rate of no more than 9 litres per minute
3. all showerheads have a flow rate no greater than 9 litres per minute
4. Must prove and commit to my tenant that these measures are in place.
PM recommends engaging Watersmart Australia which specialises in water efficiency and services the PM industry. Their rates for the 2 types of services are as follows:
a) Inspection: $55 incl GST and covers the property for a year (this is an annual service, covering as many inspections as necessary throughout the year and includes testing the flow rates for all taps and showers, checking taps for leaks and record the water meter).
b) Efficiency service (if property does not comply): Additional $100 incl GST (this covers installing water efficiency measures to reduce flow rates, conducting minor tap repairs to fix leaks, and recording hte changes made in our tracking system).
Watersmart will issue a Certificate of Compliance once the property meets the new requirements so I can charge the tenant for water usage. They will keep a detailed record of the changes to the property in the event there is a dispute between me and the tenant. These measures need to be undertaken BEFORE a new tenancy agreement is signed.
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My questions are, can I fulfil this obligation by attending to these matters myself? eg: can I buy some tool/machine which will tell me what the flow rates of the taps and showerheads are? How much are they? Is it straight forward to use? Do I need to have some technical expertise to do this? Can I rely on my own testing as proof that the measures are in place?
Thanks in advance!
Received a letter from my PM informing me of the lovely new requirements re water efficiency in NSW.
According to the letter:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I am not allowed to charge for water unless:
1. all taps are not leaking
2. all cold water or mixer taps in kitchen and bathrooms must have a maximum flow rate of no more than 9 litres per minute
3. all showerheads have a flow rate no greater than 9 litres per minute
4. Must prove and commit to my tenant that these measures are in place.
PM recommends engaging Watersmart Australia which specialises in water efficiency and services the PM industry. Their rates for the 2 types of services are as follows:
a) Inspection: $55 incl GST and covers the property for a year (this is an annual service, covering as many inspections as necessary throughout the year and includes testing the flow rates for all taps and showers, checking taps for leaks and record the water meter).
b) Efficiency service (if property does not comply): Additional $100 incl GST (this covers installing water efficiency measures to reduce flow rates, conducting minor tap repairs to fix leaks, and recording hte changes made in our tracking system).
Watersmart will issue a Certificate of Compliance once the property meets the new requirements so I can charge the tenant for water usage. They will keep a detailed record of the changes to the property in the event there is a dispute between me and the tenant. These measures need to be undertaken BEFORE a new tenancy agreement is signed.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
My questions are, can I fulfil this obligation by attending to these matters myself? eg: can I buy some tool/machine which will tell me what the flow rates of the taps and showerheads are? How much are they? Is it straight forward to use? Do I need to have some technical expertise to do this? Can I rely on my own testing as proof that the measures are in place?
Thanks in advance!