Water Charges, Metering and Utilities in NZ Rentals
Published: 23 October 2026
Section 39 of the Residential Tenancies Act divides outgoings cleanly between landlord and tenant: fixed property charges sit with the owner, while metered consumption sits with the tenant.
Key Takeaways
- • Landlords pay council rates, body corporate levies and fixed Watercare service charges
- • Tenants pay metered water usage and volumetric wastewater when the property is separately metered
- • Shared meters without individual check-meters mean the landlord must pay all water charges
- • Opening and closing meter photos on the ingoing and exit reports prevent billing disputes
Watercare charges in Auckland rentals
In Auckland, Watercare accounts must stay in the property owner's name (or care of the property management company). Tenants can only be billed for metered water consumption and volumetric wastewater charges if two conditions are met:
- • The charges can be exclusively attributed to the tenant's occupation of the property
- • The charges are determined by the amount of water supplied to the premises via a dedicated meter
Read how Climber handles Watercare bills in Auckland for our monthly invoicing and leak-check workflow.
Electricity, gas and broadband connections
Where electricity, piped or bottled gas, and broadband/fibre are connected solely to the rented dwelling, the tenant opens the account in their own name and pays the retailer directly.
If a tenant wants fibre broadband installed, landlords must allow installation if it comes at no cost to the landlord, unless one of the statutory exceptions applies (such as material compromise to weathertightness, character or body corporate rules).
Meter readings at move-in and move-out
Never rely on an estimated water bill at the changeover between two tenancies. Photograph the water meter at the ingoing inspection and again at the exit inspection so the outgoing tenant pays up to their exact final reading before the rental bond is refunded.
Questions landlords ask
Who pays for Watercare fixed charges vs usage in Auckland?
The landlord pays the fixed water and wastewater service charges. The tenant pays volumetric water usage and volumetric wastewater charges, provided the property has a separate meter.
Can a landlord charge for water if two flats share one meter?
No. Under Section 39 of the Residential Tenancies Act, a tenant can only be charged for water if the charges can be exclusively attributed to their use of the premises.
What happens if a tenant leaves without paying the final water bill?
The final meter reading is taken at the exit inspection and any unpaid metered water usage can be deducted from the rental bond.