Hi Guys - need some guidance from a Victorian Property manager
I have been charged water usage in one of my rentals, the water usage component came billed to me together with the water rates bill.
The property is separately metered so the usage obligation is with the tenant.
I lease this property out via an agent and of course have a signed lease agreement. I paid the water rates component of the bill and sent a letter to the water company with a copy of the lease agreement that shows the tenants name, when they moved in and of course the agents details and explained that it is a rental property and I am not obligated for usage charges, so please bill the tenant and have a nice day.
Now the water company are hounding me to cough up for usage charges because I am the owner of the property, I explained to them over the phone that I have given them all the relevant details of the tenant and the agent so please send the account to them .. but they persist!!
The amount of money is only 40 bucks - but heavens sake - It's the principle.
What needs to transpire for the water company to start billing the tenant and why has the usage account defaulted to me?
Do I register a complaint with the water and energy ombudsmen - would that help?
Wombat
I have been charged water usage in one of my rentals, the water usage component came billed to me together with the water rates bill.
The property is separately metered so the usage obligation is with the tenant.
I lease this property out via an agent and of course have a signed lease agreement. I paid the water rates component of the bill and sent a letter to the water company with a copy of the lease agreement that shows the tenants name, when they moved in and of course the agents details and explained that it is a rental property and I am not obligated for usage charges, so please bill the tenant and have a nice day.
Now the water company are hounding me to cough up for usage charges because I am the owner of the property, I explained to them over the phone that I have given them all the relevant details of the tenant and the agent so please send the account to them .. but they persist!!
The amount of money is only 40 bucks - but heavens sake - It's the principle.
What needs to transpire for the water company to start billing the tenant and why has the usage account defaulted to me?
Do I register a complaint with the water and energy ombudsmen - would that help?
Wombat