WA: The benefits of installing individual water meters

This Q&A article is about the benefits of individual water meters in WA strata schemes.

Question: The majority of owners in our WA survey strata voted to install individual water meters on each lot. We voted against it. Are we required to install a separate water meter at our cost?

We own a lot in a managed survey strata plan. The strata company voted for all owners to install water meters so that each owner would be billed individually for their water usage.

We voted no, but a loud majority voted yes, as they have always been vocal about water usage. We have now received an email saying we must organise the installation of our water meter. Our strata manager tells us that, as the property is a survey strata, it is our responsibility to do this, and it must be done. Is this correct? We have had this property since 2006. This has never been a problem before.

Answer: If there was a vote and a majority voted for the installation of water meters and billing, then yes, you would need to attend to the items agreed to at the meeting.

Regarding the water meters, if there was a vote and a majority voted for the installation of water meters and billing, then yes, you would need to attend to the items agreed to at the meeting.

Currently, you are paying for water in your levies and water usage is calculated by unit entitlement. Many strata schemes install individually billed water meters, allowing them to charge each lot based on usage. This is a fairer and more equitable manner of billing.

Another reason for the individual meters is to mitigate against excess water bill charges due to water leaks. In some schemes we’ve managed, lots had undetected leaks or detected leaks that failed to be repaired. The scheme paid thousands of dollars extra in water. Separate water meters assist with excessive water usage and in being able to detect leaks. Large water bills are easier to manage if the scheme can determine if the usage is in a lot or common area.

Jamie Horner Empire Estate Agents E: JHorner@empireestateagents.com P: (08) 9262 0400

This post appears in the September 2023 edition of The WA Strata Magazine.

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