Updating details
Commercial tenancies
Sale of a business or property
Change of tenancy
Moving into a property
Moving out of a property
Trade waste service
Further information
Moving into a property can be a trying time. But it is important to contact Western Water prior to moving to alert them that the meter needs to be read. Failure to do so could result in you receiving a bill additional to your usage.
The water account from Western Water includes water and/or wastewater service charges and a water usage charge. For commercial properties trade waste charges may also apply, depending on the nature of the business. Service charges cover access to and maintenance of the water and wastewater supply system for commercial properties. The usage charge is for water used at the property, as measured by a water meter.
The Water Act 1989 provides that a property owner legally remains responsible for payment of any charges due on their property.
Updating details
It is important that you let Western Water know if there are any changes to your account details, such as change of tenancy or change of address.
To update your details telephone Western Water on 1300 650 422.
Commerical tenancies
Landlord's responsibility
As Western Water is not a party to any lease between a landlord and tenant, we have the authority to seek any outstanding charges on a property from the owner. It is the property owner's responsibility to ensure their water account is paid.
To protect landlord interests, Western Water generally forwards accounts for leased commercial premises, including any reminder and final notices, to the landlord, care of their real estate agent. If a real estate agent is not involved, then Western Water will address accounts to the property owner.
At a request from the landlord, Western Water can address accounts directly to the tenant, on the clear understanding that the owner is ultimately responsible should their tenant fail to pay the account.
Tenant's responsibility
When a tenant is leasing a commercial property and the conditions of lease require the tenant to be responsible for water and wastewater charges on the property, the account will be directed to the nominated real estate agent to add the Goods and Services Tax (GST) component to the account, in accordance with Australian Tax Office requirements. The nominated agent will then forward the account to the tenant on the owner's behalf.
Sale of business or property
The sale of a business or property is usually handled in the settlement process through a conveyancer or solicitor, who will notify Western Water of any changes to an account.
Change of tenancy
Use the Authority Agreement Form to authorise the owner's account for the commercial property to be sent to the nominee or non-residential tenant.
This form must be co-signed by the nominee and the owner and sent to:
Western Water
PO box 2371
Sunbury DC
VIC 3429
Or fax to: 03 9218 5444
If you are an owner you can nominate water accounts to be billed to the new tenant/nominee.
Moving into a property
I am an Owner
Before moving into your property, check with Western Water that the water meter has been read. Otherwise you may receive a bill for water used by the previous owner. Western Water requires at least 48 hours prior notice to ensure we are able to read the meter and issue a final account to the vacating tenant.
As the owner of a property you must pay any service charges for water and wastewater and any charges for water usage (unless, as outlined below, a tenant is responsible for these charges).
The property owner is responsible for payment of the water and wastewater service charges where the property is separately metered. If the property is not separately metered, for example there may be one meter for a group of flats, the owner is responsible for all service and water usage charges. The water usage charges cannot be issued to the tenant.
I am a Tenant
In accordance with the Residential Tenancies Act 1997, when a tenant moves into a separately metered property, he/she is responsible for the water usage charges. As a tenant you must pay charges for water usage where your water has been separately metered, your landlord has informed Western Water that you are a tenant and we have read the meter.
If you do not notify Western Water within 48 hours of occupying a property, this can result in the incoming tenant being liable for the cost of all water supplied to the property since the meter was last read.
Moving out of your property
I am an owner
Before moving out of a property, Western Water requires at least 48 hours prior notice to ensure we are able to read the meter and issue a final account to the vacating owner.
Failure to notify us upon vacating a property can result in the vacating tenant being liable for the cost of all water supplied to the property until the next meter reading is conducted.
I am a tenant
Before moving out of a property, contact Western Water to have your water meter read. Western Water requires at least 48 hours prior notice to ensure we are able to read the meter and issue a final account to the vacating tenant.
Failure to notify us upon vacating a property can result in the vacating tenant being liable for the cost of all water supplied to the property until the next meter reading is conducted.
Trade waste service
Trade waste is any liquid waste generated by industry, which is unacceptable for discharge to a sewer.
Grease, oil and other industrial wastes may adversely impact upon our wastewater purification facilities and the environment. Western Water's permission is required before any trade waste is discharged into the sewerage system.
A trade waste service charge and volumetric charges apply to the occupier of any premise discharging trade waste; therefore the tenant of a commercial property would be responsible for this charge.
Further information
For account enquiries or information on service and trade waste charges, concessions and rebates, please call Western Water on 1300 650 422.
For more information on the rights and responsibilities of residential landlords and tenants contact Consumer Affairs Victoria on 1300 558 181 or visit: www.consumer.vic.gov.au