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Information for home owners and tenants
The type of special assistance that is available from Sydney Water will depend on whether you receive a bill directly from Sydney Water. The bill must be issued in your name and you have liability to pay the account.
To help tenants understand how Sydney Water can assist them, we have answered some commonly asked questions.
Residential owner occupiers
People who own and occupy their home receive a direct bill from Sydney Water in their name and have liability for all account charges. If in financial difficulty, you can apply for special assistance through the following programs:
- Pensioner Rebate Scheme
- The Payment Assistance Scheme (PAS) (PDF - 51KB)
- Extended payment arrangements
- No Interest Loan Scheme (NILS®) (PDF - 51KB)
- Washing machine rebates
- Rainwater tank rebates
- Do-it-Yourself water saving kits
- Waterfix
- Home maintenance service
- Tap turner devices
Private tenants
Sydney Water issues a bill for a rental property in the name of the landlord and/or property manager who have liability to pay Sydney Water for all account charges.
Typically, these parties will pay the account in full to Sydney Water before seeking re-imbursement for consumption costs through lease agreements.
Landlords and property managers also have the responsibility to maintain water efficiency within dwellings through plumbing and basic fittings such as toilets.
Private tenants may apply for special assistance from Sydney Water through the following programs:
- Payment Assistance Scheme (consumption charges, if liable)
- No Interest Loan Scheme (washing machines only - if not covered through your lease)
- Washing machine rebates
- Waterfix
- Tap turner devices
Department of Housing tenants
Sydney Water directly bills The Department of Housing (DOH) for account charges and the department is responsible for making payment to Sydney Water.
The DOH has its own internal practices for the recovery of costs from public tenants and is responsible for the maintenance of water efficiency within dwellings through plumbing and basic fittings. Public tenants may apply for special assistance through the following programs:
