Water Charges for Tenants and Landlords in South Australia

How Water Charges Split Between Landlord and Tenant in SA

The Residential Tenancies Act 1995 treats water charges according to the agreement and whether they are based on consumption. If there is no agreement, the tenant pays separately metered charges based on consumption; the landlord pays statutory charges when consumption is not separately metered or the charge is not based on consumption, such as the water supply charge.

Supply charges (fixed service fee). This is the fixed fee for being connected to the mains. The landlord is responsible for water supply charges unless the premises are separately metered and the landlord and tenant agree otherwise.

Water usage (consumption). Water usage charges are paid as agreed. If there is no agreement, the tenant is responsible for separately metered charges based on consumption. The tenant is not required to pay a usage charge unless the landlord provides a copy of the invoice within 30 days after it is issued.

The Conditions for Passing Usage to the Tenant

Before seeking payment for water usage, check these points:

1. Check the tenancy agreement. Water charges are paid as agreed. If the agreement is silent, consumption-based charges are payable by the tenant, subject to the metering and statutory-charge rules below.

2. Check the meter arrangement. If consumption is not separately metered, or a charge is not based on consumption, the landlord is responsible for those statutory charges. Keep meter records that support any usage amount.

3. Keep water fixtures in reasonable repair. Under Section 73B, the landlord is responsible for excessive water use charges caused by a fault in water infrastructure, equipment, or fixtures, provided the tenant notified the landlord of the fault as soon as practicable. This does not apply to tenant-caused faults or faults that are SA Water's responsibility. Section 68 also requires the landlord to maintain the premises in a reasonable state of repair.

What Happens with SA Water Billing

SA Water bills commonly include supply and usage components. If the landlord receives the bill, keep a copy and explain the basis for any amount sought from the tenant. Possible arrangements include:

Direct reimbursement. The landlord receives the SA Water bill, separates the supply charge from the usage component, and invoices the tenant for the usage amount. This requires you to review each bill and communicate the amount to the tenant.

Tenant payment arrangement. Some landlords arrange for the tenant to receive a copy of the bill and pay the usage component directly to the landlord within a set timeframe. This should be documented in the lease.

Keep copies of water bills and meter readings; they may help explain a charge if a dispute arises. Provide the tenant with a copy of any usage invoice within 30 days after it is issued.

Water-Efficient Fixtures and Regulatory Requirements

The Residential Tenancies Regulations 2025 (Regulation 19) introduced water efficiency standards that affect landlords when replacing fixtures:

• Replacement showerheads and taps servicing kitchen, bathroom or laundry basins must not exceed a maximum flow rate of 9 litres per minute
• Replacement water heaters must comply with Commonwealth GEMS (Greenhouse and Energy Minimum Standards) determinations

These rules apply when you replace a fixture — not retroactively to existing installations. But if you're replacing a tap or showerhead anyway, the new one must meet the 9 L/min threshold.

Regulated plumbing work on these fixtures must be done by a licensed plumber, who submits a plumbing eCoC to the Office of the Technical Regulator within seven days. OTR's eCoC exemption for specified domestic tapware work still applies. The landlord must retain the certificate.

Common Disputes and How to Avoid Them

High usage after a fixture leak. If a tenant reports a running toilet or dripping tap, investigate and repair it promptly. Section 73B makes the landlord responsible for excessive water use charges caused by the fault if the tenant notified the landlord as soon as practicable. Document when the report was received and when the repair was completed.

No water clause in the lease. In the absence of an agreement, separately metered consumption-based water charges are payable by the tenant. The landlord remains responsible for statutory charges such as the supply charge, unless the premises are separately metered and the parties agree otherwise.

Shared meters. If the property does not have a separate meter, the landlord is responsible for statutory charges. Do not assign a usage amount without a basis in the meter readings and the tenancy agreement.

The SA Rental Minimum Standards Guide covers the full range of landlord obligations, including water supply standards under the Housing Improvement Regulations and the fixture replacement rules under the 2025 Regulations, so you're across every requirement when setting up a tenancy.

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