Entry onto third party property policy

Policy document number: 1260460 Version: 4 Last updated: 13 February 2023

1. Overview

1.1 At a glance

When altering or extending Sydney Water (us, we, our) services, it may be necessary in some cases for the developer or person representing the developer (e.g. Water Servicing Coordinator) to enter another customer's property to do so. To do this, agreement is needed by all parties.

If gaining permission becomes difficult, we can help.

1.2 Scope

Our policy applies to customers who need permission to enter another person's property, so they can access our services because they need to alter or extend them.

1.3 Objective

The purpose of this policy is to help achieve a balance between:

1. our statutory function of providing water and wastewater services
2. the common law rights of our existing customers who are affected by a development.

2. Policy in detail

Sometimes a development will require the developer or person representing the developer to enter another customer's property to extend or alter our services. We understand that trying to negotiate entry to another person's property can lead to disputes that can be hard to resolve. The developer is trying to get the development finished, while property owners and tenants want to protect their rights.

Careful planning is needed at this point of the development to ensure all parties involved are satisfied. Developers must:

• protect the rights of property owners and tenants
• avoid problems that can cause disputes
• make it possible for us to manage public health and safety, environmental and financial risks
• manage entry negotiations
• resolve any disputes fairly and efficiently.

We prefer that developers obtain permission to enter and construct the works, from the property owner and/or the tenant. However, if the other property owner and/or tenant won't allow entry, you can talk to the person managing your application for assistance.

3. Definitions