Water Rates, the saga continues..

Gordon Gabriel asks:
(updated on Monday, May 14th 2007)

MCC have removed waste water charge from rates bill and they are now part of water rates. Although water is metered they charge a flat rate currently $320pa. This is, in my opinion, unfair, illogical, counter-productive and creates unnecessary administration for all parties in the case of rental properties. They now have to process two payments per property instead of one. An example is a tenant who uses minimal water. Water charge might be say $10 per month, and waste water is $26.66. Conversely someone who uses large amounts need not fear increased waste water charge. Council claims, correctly, that this charge is to cover cost of processing waste water, therefore why is the charge not related to usage - illogical! Sorry to be so long-winded. My question is, at the start of the tenancy can a landlord, with the tenants agreement, write into it that the tenant is responsible for all water charges?