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From 23 March 2025, new water efficiency standards will come into effect in NSW, adding further responsibilities for landlords. These changes will impact how landlords manage water efficiency in their rental properties and they must take action to remain compliant.

In a significant move to promote sustainability and reduce water consumption, the NSW government is set to implement new water efficiency standards for rental properties. Landlords must familiarise themselves with these changes to remain compliant and avoid potential financial implications.

New water efficiency requirements

From 23 March 2025, landlords in NSW will be required to meet new water efficiency standards to be able to pass water usage charges to tenants. The new measure requires that all toilets in rental properties are dual-flush models with at least a three-star rating under the Commonwealth Water Efficiency Labelling and Standards (WELS) scheme.

Exisiting responsibilities

Beyond upgrading toilets, landlords must must continue inspecting all taps and toilets for leaks at the beginning of each new tenancy and after any water efficiency-related repairs or upgrades. These inspections help ensure properties remain compliant and up to standard throughout each tenancy period. This requirement has applied to both new and existing tenancy agreements since 23 March 2020.

You can find the exhaustive list of all the requirements needed for landlords to pass water usage charges onto tenants at our legislation page here.

What this means for landlords

Landlords who meet both the new and existing water efficiency standards can pass water usage charges onto tenants. However, non-compliance could result in landlords being unable to recover these costs from tenants, potentially impacting profitability. Learn how Detector Inspector can help by contacting us below or visiting here.

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In QLD and NSW, a landlord can only pass on water charges to a tenant if all water devices at the property meet water efficiency standards. The simple solution: a single service and a single certificate to cover water efficiency across the whole property.

In both QLD and NSW, landlords can pass on water consumption charges to tenants but only if the property meets minimum water efficiency standards.

If the property isn’t deemed water efficient, the landlord is not allowed to pass on the full water consumption charges to the tenant.

The simplest solution is to lock in a regular water efficiency service to make sure standards are maintained, with a compliance certificate to prove it. With this in place the landlord is able to pass the water bills on to the tenant with no extra hassle. Plus you’ll be minimising the waste of precious water!

Know the requirements in your state

Each state has individual rules.

In QLD:

  • Minimum water efficiency standards apply to internal cold water and mixer taps, shower heads and toilets.
  • In order for landlords to pass on the full water usage charges to tenants, the property must meet water efficiency standards for the entire tenancy period.
  • This means the property needs to meet standards before it’s rented out and water efficiency must be maintained throughout the tenancy.

In NSW:

  • Minimum water efficiency standards apply to internal cold water and mixer taps in kitchens and bathrooms, shower heads and toilets.
  • Additionally, there must be no leaking taps or toilets anywhere on the property at the commencement of the tenancy and any time water efficiency maintenance is done.
  • From March 2025, all toilets must be dual-flush and have a minimum 3-star WELS rating. Non-conforming toilets will need to be replaced before the new legislation becomes effective.

Full details of the rules in each state can be found on our legislation page.

Proving water efficiency

In both NSW and QLD, water efficiency measures should be stated on the entry condition report. Tenants are allowed (and encouraged) to ask for evidence that the standards have been met and maintained. Landlords need to keep written proof to show they’ve done the right thing.

Landlords can offer proof in one of two ways:

  • You could keep evidence for each individual water device: this must be written documentation such as receipts, warranties, packaging, instruction/installation manuals or plumber’s reports.
  • Or you can get an all-inclusive service and a certificate evidencing that the property is water efficient.
A single service with a single certificate

The simple solution is to get a regular service and a compliance certificate that covers the whole property, tailored to meet the legislative requirements in your state.

Detector Inspector’s water efficiency service includes:

  • A water efficiency assessment checked against the relevant state-based legislation
  • Identification of leaking taps and toilets
  • Identification of all works required to meet the requirements
  • A compliance certificate issued once the property has been brought up to standard

As with all our services we keep a digital record of all water efficiency measures and compliance certificates for the property, so you can easily produce proof of compliance on request.

A water efficiency service is available for a low flat fee as an add-on to our smoke detector service.

Save water, save money, save hassle

If you’re charging tenants for water and you can’t prove that your property meets water efficiency standards, you could be in violation of legislation. Sort it out today with a simple service and get a compliance certificate to show you’re meeting requirements.

If you’re not charging tenants for water, you could be! Just ensure the property is water efficient before the commencement of the next tenancy agreement, and you can start passing on water consumption charges to the tenant.

Water efficiency is good for the environment, good for tenants and good for landlords. Contact us about a solution today.

Detector Inspector's electrical safety service provides peace of mind that all electrical appliances, installations and fittings at a property are safe and compliant.

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Corded blinds can be a serious safety hazard, but many people don’t appreciate the risk or understand the regulations. A simple low-fee add-on to the regular smoke alarm service is the solution to corded blind safety for our QLD and NSW clients.
What agents, landlords and homeowners need to know

Tragically, one to two Australian children die every year as a result of accidental strangulation by a blind cord at home.

To stop preventable child deaths, meticulous legislation has been brought in to govern the installation of venetian, roman and holland blinds, curtains and any other window fittings containing cords.

But since designers and home decorators are usually more focused on aesthetics than safety, and the risk isn’t properly understood, a majority of homes are not compliant with this legislation.

How dangerous can an improperly fitted blind cord actually be?

Due to the risk of child injury and death, landlords and property agents are required to maintain the compliance of all corded window fittings in rental properties in accordance with legislation. Agents may be contractually responsible for informing landlords of their responsibilities and ensuring that corded window coverings are correctly fitted and regularly maintained.

For homeowners with children living in or visiting their home, being aware of the risks and requirements could prevent a needless death happening on their property.

There are strict restrictions regarding the height at which cords can hang, the circumstances in which a cord guide is required and mandatory safety labelling.

The restrictions are governed by the Trade Practices (Consumer Product Safety Standard – Corded Internal Window Coverings) Regulations 2010 and the Competition and Consumer (Corded Internal Window Coverings) Safety Standard 2014.

The regulations apply to all window fixtures containing cords that have been fitted since 2010 and have been legally enforceable since 2015.

A simple summary of the legislation details can be found here.

Safety management requires safety experts

Don’t assume blinds have been correctly installed. A 2016 survey of display homes conducted by the ACCC found that only 10% of the homes would be compliant if they were sold with the window coverings as installed. It’s crucial that window coverings are fitted and checked by a compliance expert.

Detector Inspector fits and maintain blinds and window coverings in accordance with all the relevant legislation. We offer this as an add-on to our smoke alarm safety program in QLD and NSW, meaning that blinds can be done in the same visit as smoke alarms so there’s no extra admin or separate appointments.

Our annual corded blinds service includes:

  • Safety and compliance check of all blinds, window coverings and fittings
  • Free replacement or installation of missing or damaged cleats, cord guides, warning labels and swing tags
  • Cord shortening as required for beaded metal chains
  • Recommended solutions for any window coverings that cannot be made to comply
  • Issuing of safety instructions to the people who occupy the home
  • Service report including a statement of compliance for the owner/agent’s records
  • Digital records including time, date and GPS stamped photographs of each window fitting at the property to demonstrate compliance

Check out pricing and more details here.

Don’t let your property become a statistic

Whether you’re a property manager, a landlord or a homeowner with little ones, the burden falls to you to make sure that corded blinds are kept up to standard to keep kids safe.

With a blind safety service as an add-on to the regular smoke alarm service, property safety can be maintained all in one annual visit with no extra hassle.

Secure peace of mind with a corded blind service add-on. Get in touch with one of our friendly team members today.

Get the protection you need with our corded blinds safety & compliance service.

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