Water Bills – A Reminder

This was introduced to prevent tenants leaving properties without providing water companies with appropriate forwarding addresses and leaving unpaid bills. If the landlord fails to comply with this provision, he will become jointly and severally liable for the invoices for water usage at the rented property.

These changes place a significant new obligation on landlords. They also give the water companies an advantage over other utility providers who do not have the benefit of this kind of statutory protection.

Landlords and agents should amend their tenancy agreements to specify that tenants must provide evidence of the water bill being paid to date; otherwise it will be deducted from the deposit. Agents should amend their terms of business pointing out to landlords that they have this liability.