General

• New Guidelines for Community Housing Water Charging

  25 January, 2012

  I am writing to provide you with a copy of the new Ministerial Guidelines for Community Housing Water Charging.  Thank you for your assistance in consulting on the draft of the guidelines.

  The Residential Tenancies Act 2010, Section 139, provides for a social housing tenant to pay water charges as determined in accordance with ministerial guidelines.

  These guidelines provide high level policy advice to community housing providers to assist them to develop fair and transparent operational policy regarding tenant water charging. 

  As discussed in consultations, water charges are not compulsory; providers can decide whether or not to charge for water based on their own organisational needs.  Residents in crisis accommodation and transitional housing without residential tenancy agreements (or where tenants cannot afford to pay social housing rents) are exempt from water charges.

  Community housing providers have been issued with a copy of the Ministerial Guidelines and advised that those that have been charging for water to date must ensure that their water charging arrangements are consistent with the Act and the guidelines. 

  Community housing providers have been requested to make these guidelines and their own water charging policy available to all tenants and the public.

  Should you have any questions regarding these guidelines please contact Lisa Hayes on (02) 8753 8418 or lisa.hayes@facs.nsw.gov.au.