Moving house? What I need to know

Do I need to notify TasWater when selling or buying a property?

In most cases, you don’t need to notify TasWater of a property sale. We have an agreement with the Australian Institute of Conveyancers for your conveyancer or solicitor to inform us about the sale.

To issue the final statement, TasWater requires:

• The property’s title information
• The settlement date
• The vendor’s future mailing address
• The purchaser’s names and mailing address

This ensures the correct person is charged for water and sewerage services from the settlement date onwards.

Your conveyancer or solicitor will complete our online Change of Ownership form after settlement is complete to update the water and sewerage account details when buying or selling a property in Tasmania.

Change of Ownership Form

Who is responsible for water charges for tenants?

Water and sewerage charges are the responsibility of the property owner. Tenants won’t receive a statement directly from TasWater, but landlords can make arrangements to recover water usage charges.

If you’d like to request a special meter reading, this can be done at any time for a small fee. This is useful when transitioning between tenants or during a sale.

Tenant billing

Will my TasWater account details change?

Yes, there will be some details that will change with your TasWater account when you are selling one property and purchasing a new property, or, if you are purchasing an additional property.

If you are selling a property and purchasing a new one your account number will change. The account number for the property you are selling will be closed and a new account set up under the person(s) name that is reflected on the title for that property.

If you are a concession card holder and currently have an active concession on your account you will need to provide that information to TasWater to be applied to your new account

It is also important to check your Bpay payment details and update them if needed as well as making sure any direct debits or payments that are set up for the old account are applied to the new account.

Apply for a concession

Set up a direct debit

What happens to water restriction devices during a sale?

Where a restriction device is fitted because of the non-payment of an account, the vendor is responsible for any charges relating to its removal. You can find the fee under our Fees and Charges section.

How do I handle trade waste accounts during a property sale?

If the property includes a commercial entity discharging trade waste, additional steps may be required. For more information, visit our Trade Waste page or contact us at 13 6992 or via email at [email protected]

Trade Waste

Who manages water and sewerage charges at settlement?

There is no requirement or obligation for property managers, lawyers and/or conveyancers to apportion water and sewerage statements at the time of sale. TasWater requests that lawyers and/or conveyancers acting for the vendor notify us after settlement, the vendor's future address and purchaser's address via the Change of ownership form.

Accounts are finalised using an estimated meter read. A special meter read can be arranged upon request. Please refer to our Fees and Charges page. Once finalised, depending on their circumstances, the vendor will receive a final bill or credit note. The purchaser will receive a statement for their portion of service charges from the date of settlement, this will include an Account Establishment Fee.

The purchaser’s first statement will include helpful information about:

• Payment methods
• Concessions
• Authorised representatives
• Our quarterly newsletter