GOVERNMENT REGIONAL OFFICERS HOUSING Water Consumption Policy October 2009
Policy Number of the Department of Housing of Western Australia 2000. Reproduction of this work in whole or part within the Department and on condition that it not be offered for sale, is permitted by the Department of Housing of Western Australia. Further information please contact: Title : Government Regional Officers Housing Coordinator Policy and Projects Address : Department of Housing 99 Plain Street EAST PERTH WA 6004 Telephone 08 9286 6000 Facsimile 08 9286 6025 Email Danielle.Faulkner@housing.wa.gov.au Website www.groh.wa.gov.au 2
TABLE OF CONTENTS 1. INTRODUCTION... 4 1.1 OVERVIEW... 4 1.2 PURPOSE OF THIS DOCUMENT... 4 1.3 SCOPE... 4 1.4 RELEVANT LEGISLATION AND REFERENCES... 4 1.5 DOCUMENT CONTROL... 4 1.6 DOCUMENT REVIEW... 5 1.7 FULL DOCUMENT HISTORY... 5 1.8 DEFINITION OF TERMS (GLOSSARY)... 5 2. TENANT RESPONSIBILITY... 6 3. WATER CONSUMPTION DEBT TO GROH... 6 4. REIMBURSEMENT OF WATER CONSUMPTION CHARGES GROH-OWNED... 7 APPENDIX 1 SPECIAL WATER METER READINGS... 8 3
1. INTRODUCTION 1.1 OVERVIEW GROH will pay the Water Corporation direct for water consumption charges in all tenancies. The tenant is responsible for reimbursing GROH for this payment, unless the tenant resides in a serviced unit or shared accommodation. 1.2 PURPOSE OF THIS DOCUMENT This document is written with the aim of providing clear policies and procedures for Department of Housing officers to ensure effective management and consistent implementation of the Water Consumption policy. 1.3 SCOPE This document is written for use by GROH s client agencies, Department of Housing officers and tenants of GROH. 1.4 RELEVANT LEGISLATION AND REFERENCES Government Employees Housing Act 1964 Residential Tenancies Act 1987 Customer Service Charter Water Corporation Act 1995 Public Sector Code of Ethics Public Sector Management Act 1994 1.5 DOCUMENT CONTROL This document is published on the GROH Internet site at www.groh.wa.gov.au - GROH Policies. 4
Responsibility for the document lies with the Director, Government Regional Officers Housing. 1.6 DOCUMENT REVIEW This document may be amended from time to time (see 1.7 Document History). 1.7 FULL DOCUMENT HISTORY ISSUE DATE REASON POLICY AUTHOR OFFICERS TITLE DATE LOADED ON Internet 1 November 2001 Policy Reformatted Andrew Smith Policy and Projects Officer 2 July 2003 3 August 2006 Policy Reviewed and amended to reflect changes in the procedures for recovery of water consumption debt and the changes relating to the DHW. Policy amended to reflect the change to the Government Employees Housing Authority by the Machinery of Government (Miscellaneous Amendments) Act 2006 4 January 2009 Policy amended reflect new procedures for meter readings. Section on Reimbursement added. Lisbet Schafers Projects and Policy Officer Lisbet Schäfers Projects and Policy Officer Emily Robinson Policy and Research Officer 5 October 2009 Policy Reformatted Danielle Faulkner Coordinator Policy and Projects October 2009 1.8 DEFINITION OF TERMS (Glossary) TERM / ACRONYM MEANING GROH Government Regional Officers Housing Tenant Means the person residing in GROH accommodation. Serviced Unit Means units of accommodation that may share common water and/or electricity meters and/or gas meters and /or facilities such as the driveway, carports, washing lines and/or gardens. SMR Special Meter Reading (water) 5
2. TENANT RESPONSIBILITY POLICY : The tenant is responsible for the payment of all water consumption charges incurred during the period of occupancy unless residing in a serviced unit or shared accommodation. GROH is responsible for the water costs for serviced units. PRACTICES / PROCEDURES 2.1 All tenants not residing in serviced units or in shared accommodation will receive an account from GROH. 2.2 Tenants are NO LONGER required to organise special meter readings. This is organised by GROH on notice of occupation and vacation (See APPENDIX 1). 3. WATER CONSUMPTION DEBT TO GROH POLICY : Water consumption charges paid by GROH on behalf of the tenant will be debited to the tenant s rental account. All water consumption debts will be actively pursued. If the tenant fails to settle the outstanding debt following due process for recouping water debt and the debt exceeds $50, it will be referred to a Debt Collection Agency. In extenuating circumstances the Regional Manager may waive up to 50% of a water consumption debt. PRACTICES / PROCEDURES 3.1 The tenant must reimburse GROH within three (3) weeks of receipt of the first account. 3.2 If the debt is not settled within three weeks the tenant will be sent a final notice. 3.3 If no response to the Final Notice the account details will be forwarded to the tenant s employing agency with a request to assist in the recovery of the debt. 3.4 Referral to a Debt Collection Agency (Debts over $50) If there has been no response from the tenant 28 days after requesting action from their employing agency, the debt will be referred to the a Debt Collection Agency. 3.5 Debts under $50 Vacated Accounts. If the debt is under $50 and the tenant 6
POLICY : PRACTICES / PROCEDURES cannot be contacted, the debt will remain the responsibility of the tenant to pay should that person re-occupy a GROH house in the future. Occupied Accounts. If the tenant has not settled the debt and it is under $50, the debt will be held pending the addition of a subsequent water consumption account, and recovery action will then be recommenced. 4. REIMBURSEMENT OF WATER CONSUMPTION CHARGES GROH-OWNED POLICY : GROH may provide PARTIAL reimbursement (50%) for water consumption charges resulting from the establishment/ reestablishment of gardens (including lawns). PRACTICES / PROCEDURES 4.1 Where GROH has re-established a garden due to tenant neglect and that tenant remains in the property GROH will NOT provide reimbursement for water consumption. This reimbursement shall only apply for the period immediately after the garden is first planted (max. 3 months). 7
Appendix 1 Special Water Meter Readings In the majority of locations the process of Special Meter Readings is facilitated by the Caretaker system. The following exceptions apply: LOCATION AUTHORITY RESPONSIBLE ACTION REQUIRED Dampier Paraburdoo Tom Price Bunbury Shire of Busselton Hamersley Iron Aqwest - Bunbury Water Board Busselton Water Board GROH to email Hamersley Iron regarding all occupations and vacations so that Meter Readings can be undertaken (Hamersley Iron Email: piics.utilities@riotinto.com) GROH (HPSO) to read the water meter when doing the vacating inspection. Vacating Officer then passes this reading on to the Water board GROH (HPSO) to read the water meter when doing the vacating inspection. Vacating Officer then passes this reading on to the Water board 8