Who Pays for Water at a Rental Property? A Landlord & Tenant Guide

Understanding who pays for water and wastewater charges at a rental property is important for both landlords and tenants. At i-Rentals we sometimes get asked about water billing responsibilities and while it can vary depending on how the water is supplied, here’s a helpful breakdown of how it typically works across Northland and the rest of New Zealand.

✅ Landlord Responsibilities Around Water Supply

First and foremost, landlords are responsible for ensuring their rental has a reliable water source. If the property isn’t connected to a council-supplied water system (e.g., it uses tank water), the landlord must ensure water can be collected, stored, and delivered in a sufficient and sanitary way.

In unit title developments (like apartment blocks or townhouses), water supply might be covered under the body corporate rules. These rules form part of the tenancy agreement, so landlords should let tenants know how water is shared or billed within the complex.

💧 Who Pays for Fixed Water Charges?

Water providers around the country structure their charges differently, especially when it comes to fixed charges (which apply whether water is used or not).

• If the fixed charge applies regardless of whether the home is occupied, then the landlord pays.
• If the charge only applies when the tenant is living there, then the tenant is responsible for paying it.

In Whangārei, fixed water supply charges are typically billed even when the property is vacant — so in many cases, it falls to the landlord to cover these.

🔄 Who Pays for Metered Water Use?

If the rental has its own water meter, and:

• the charges are based on the tenant’s actual water usage, and
• those charges can be clearly identified as the tenant’s use,

… then the tenant pays for that metered water usage.

If those three conditions aren’t met (e.g., no separate meter or shared usage), then the landlord must pay the bill.

Some suppliers also charge for wastewater based on how much water has been used. If the usage is metered and specific to the tenant, landlords can pass those wastewater costs on to the tenant too.

💸 How to Handle Water Bills

Even when the tenant is responsible for water use, the water account itself must remain in the landlord’s name. Here’s the recommended process:

1. The landlord receives the full water bill.
2. The landlord sends a copy to the tenant (you can remove your personal details).
3. The tenant then reimburses the landlord for their portion of the bill.

Some councils (like Whangārei District Council) allow landlords to set tenants up to receive a copy of the bill, but this must be arranged with the landlord's permission.

🚫 What Happens if Water Charges Aren’t Paid?

If the landlord fails to pay and the water is disconnected, the landlord is responsible for reconnecting it and covering any associated costs.

If the tenant fails to pay their share of the water bill, it’s considered a breach of the tenancy agreement. In this case, landlords can:

1. Issue a 14-day Notice to Remedy, giving the tenant a set time to pay.
2. If unpaid, apply to the Tenancy Tribunal to resolve the issue and recover costs.

💦 Tank Water: Who Pays and What to Expect

Many rural or lifestyle properties around Whangārei rely on tank water instead of town supply. In this case:

• The landlord must provide a full tank of water at the beginning of the tenancy.
• After that, the tenant is responsible for organising and paying for any top-ups.

A typical household tank should be at least 5,000 gallons (22,500 litres), connected to a suitable roof area for rainwater collection, and free from leaks or contamination.

Pump maintenance is the landlord’s responsibility, but if a tenant misuses the system (e.g. runs the pump dry), they may be liable for repair costs. It’s a good idea for landlords to provide written instructions on how the tank system works.

Need Help Understanding Water Charges for Your Rental?

At i-Rentals, we specialise in managing Whangārei and Northland rental properties with clarity and compliance. Whether your rental is on town supply or tank water, we’ll ensure responsibilities are clear and your property is managed smoothly.

📞 Contact us if you have questions about water billing, tenancy agreements, or anything else related to managing your investment property.

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