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What Bills Do You Pay When Renting in Australia?

May 26, 2023
what bills do you pay when renting in australia

Key takeaways:

    • Renting in Australia requires that you know your responsibilities as a tenant as well as your rights.
    • If you don’t know much about the legal requirements, please ensure you seek help from an expert before renting.
    • Water and sewage are just a few of the rental bills you should be prepared to pay as a renter.

If you’re moving into a new place, it’s key to be clued up on your renter’s rights. Even though landlords have got to handle tenants with respect, the nitty-gritty of tenancy regulations can be daunting for them to keep track of.

Depending on what they are, different laws dictate who’s gotta foot the bill for utilities and services on an ongoing basis. What bills do you pay when renting in Australia? You know, it really varies; if it’s water or electricity, one set of rules applies – but if it’s gas or toner for printers, then different regulations kick in. It all depends!

Gotta keep this key info in mind – it’s essential to be clued up on your rights when renting. Don’t forget, you’re entitled to plenty of protections, so educate yourself and stay informed. Don’t let yourself get taken for a ride!

What bills do you pay when renting in Australia

Most people want to know who pays water rates when renting in Australia, the responsibilities landlords have or even their renters rights. So, we’ve summarised everything you should know below!

Electricity

The average electricity bill in Sydney is around $90 per month for a single person, but this can vary depending on a number of factors, including the size of your home, the age and efficiency of your appliances, and your energy consumption habits.

If you are renting a property that is separately metered, you will be responsible for paying your own electricity bill. The amount you pay will depend on your usage, but you can expect to pay anywhere from $50 to $200 per month.

Water and sewerage

When you’re setting up utilities when renting, know that there are a bunch of different costs to prepare for.

Wondering what bills you’ve gotta pay when renting in Aus? Sewerage and water are sure to be on the list.

what bills do you pay when renting in australia

Unless the landlord agrees to take the wheel, it’s up to the tenants to pay for their water and sewage, if there’s a metre. To avoid any confusion about who foots the bill later on, it should be written into the lease as a special condition. And when it comes to those pesky sewer charges that come with hooking up to rental property – no doubt about it, that’s still on the rental provider.

Unless the tenant is to blame for any destruction, it’s up to the leasing provider to foot the bill for water efficiency measures, sewerage and pipe cleaning services – plus any charges related to draining and cleansing those sewage tanks! Talk about a bummer.

Gas and oil

Installing and consuming’ gas, oil, and electricity ain’t gonna come cheap! If you use too much in one month, there’ll be excessive usage charges added. Yikes!

If you’re looking to lower your energy bill, make sure you adhere to good electricity efficiency requirements by turning off the lights and unplugging appliances when they’re not being used. Hey, why not give it a try? Just remember: every little bit counts! Taking simple steps like these is the key to reducing your electricity costs.

If you’re planning on incorporating bottled gas or oil into your centralised hot water system, you gotta fork out for those too! Don’t forget about the supply fee as well; it adds up! So make sure your budget’s big enough to cover it all.

what bills do you pay when renting in australia

Internet and phone

Unless the rental company has something else in mind, renters are stuck footing the bill for all ongoing costs related to having a phone and internet connection. Ouch! That’s gotta sting – but that’s just the way it is. It can be annoying sometimes, but hey, you have to pay to play.

Gotta get the go-ahead from the rental company if you want to get hooked up with phone and internet connections. Ain’t nothing gonna happen without that authorization! Get that sorted first, and then you’ll be all set.

What charges are made by renters?

Gotta factor in those extra charges that are part of the application to rent, know? Like, water is one of those utilities you’ll need to pay for.

Oooh, looking to rent in Australia? Well, there are some upfront costs you should be aware of. On top of your rental payment, there’re a few extra fees you should anticipate.

Alright, let’s talk about the security deposit! You need to have it ready before you move in – it’ll give your landlord a little extra assurance that you won’t wreck their place. If anything should come up, they can use the dough to make repairs. Don’t worry though – if it’s easier for you, they might agree to a rental bond instead.

Before signing a lease on a home, it’s fundamental to take an honest look at your pocketbook! Forecasting rent increases or a possible rent reduction just takes taking into account the current state of the economy. If you’re able, why not put two weeks’ rent upfront? That’ll help cover upcoming costs and keep your wallet feeling comfy.

Woah, a holding deposit – it’s one of those expenses that really pays off! You’ll pay it once, and the property will be all yours – no more worrying about other parties. It’s the perfect way to secure the tenancy agreement and make sure everything’s in order.

What bills do you pay when renting in Australia: Key takeaways

  • Did you know down in Australia, most households aren’t stuck paying bills? But if you’re renting a property, it might not be as lucky – better take a gander at that rental contract to see what’s up! If the place isn’t set up for individual metres, you could be out of luck and hit with some hefty home costs.
  • Well, the rates, insurance and land tax are all taken care of by the manager/owner – but if you’re living in social housing, it’s worth noting that per ministerial directives issued by the Department of Communities and Justice, you’ll have to fork out for your water consumption. Yup, worrying about bills is part of owning a place!
  • Before your current contract is up, steer clear of signing up with a new energy company – you may be hit with some big fees if you terminate it early. So, save yourself the money and hang on to the one you’ve got!

Questions people also ask

Do utilities include rent in Australia?

If a property is “separately metered,” it’s likely that tenants pay utilities for the rented premises. However, there’s usually a fee for reconnecting or activating these facilities – think of it as an extra payment on top. You’ll probably also be asked to put pen to paper and complete a contract with the provider before anything gets turned back on.

In Australia, is rent paid every month?

The rental agreement really lays it out there, whether you have to fork over the rent weekly, bi-weekly, monthly on the calendar, or at another time. There’s no getting around it; once you sign that agreement, you gotta make sure to pay up – on the regular and by the date!

What are the rents for embedded networks?

Embedded networks for hot and cold water are a common sight in high-rise apartments, but an embedded network is actually a private electricity network – the provider buys it from an energy supplier in bulk and sells it to customers. Wow, talk about handy!

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Our AI match engine will match you with over 150,000+ properties and you can swipe away or shortlist easily. Making your home buying journey faster and easier.