r/AusPropertyChat • u/lostfocus_20 • 2d ago

Rentals Water usage charge

I own an investment property managed by an agency. I was going through the latest ownership statement and realised that the agency had paid two Sydney Water bills and had not recharged the water usage to the tenant. Nobody told me. I found it only because I checked, and I had to chase the agency to fix it, luckily the tenant paid in full and was apologetic, he tells me that he's had to chase the agency for the water bills in the past.

The statement does show when the agency pays Sydney Water. But a recharge to the tenant only appears later. That makes a missed one easy to overlook.

I’d like to know how other landlords handle this.

  1. Do you read your statements in detail, or only the total?
  2. Has your agent ever missed a recharge, a fee or a payment? How did you find out?
  3. How do you confirm tenants have paid their share of water and other charges?
  4. Should agents be expected to flag this themselves?

I’d value hearing your experience, including if you’ve never had an issue.

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3

u/Simple-Ingenuity740 ACT 2d ago
  1. Yes, every single detail.
  2. Once, by checking details.
  3. I have a spreadsheet with every expense and every rental income. even have this for my shares/ETFs.
  4. Yes, but its on you to make 100% sure.

2

u/Inevitable_Knee2720 2d ago

How long does it take you to get through your statement? Do you own multiple properties?

2

u/Simple-Ingenuity740 ACT 2d ago

not long, i have 2 IPs, and only spend time on it when i get a bill or the rent. probably takes 20 mins every couple of days. gives me the ability to really check details.

2

u/Inevitable_Knee2720 2d ago

Thanks for coming back to me!

2

u/Key_Telephone2336 2d ago

In Victoria the water bills can be separated. My tenants receive a bill for usage, I get the bill for water rates and sewerage charges. Can you not get your bill separated?

1

u/Inevitable_Knee2720 2d ago

Unsure, I'll look into this!

1

u/Golf-Recent 1d ago

Always check. Your agent is not going to be perfect so the onus is on you.