Water is landlords' responsibility: APIA

The Department of Building and Housing says the $190 fixed wastewater charge levied by Auckland provider Watercare is a landlord/owner charge and should not be passed on to tenants.

Whitburn says he has told his members to pay the charge.

The issue has been in dispute for months, with landlords arguing that because the $190 charge is broken down into a daily rate in Watercare’s bills, tenants should be liable for the portion that relates to the time of their tenancy.

Whitburn said landlords would have to wear it. “And given this it should be in the land rates bill, for administrative ease.”