Browse Forums Building A New House 1 Aug 19, 2008 1:57 pm I've built in a new development and have been told by the builder that we have to pay for water and electricity during construction. I've been told this after handover.
Theres nothing in the contract and no-one else in the development was made aware of it previously. They've said its company policy. Do I really have to pay? Who should I contact to find out my rights about this? Re: Who pays for water / utilities during construction? 3Aug 19, 2008 2:34 pm We have always had to pay for the utilities when we have built. We are up to number 3.
It should be minimal but we used to always go and check everything was off at the end of the day....sometimes some of the trades would leave the tap going and not realise. Re: Who pays for water / utilities during construction? 4Aug 19, 2008 3:35 pm This is a goood question because it's something I would not have thought off as I haven't built before. Checking it at the end of the day is a good idea. People are always a bit more carefree when it's not coming out of their own pocket. Re: Who pays for water / utilities during construction? 5Aug 19, 2008 3:53 pm If you own the land you will be liable for council rates and water rates, this includes a house/land package as the land will become yours before construction starts, this applies from settlement date of the land .
Theoretically you are also liable for excess water charges but very hard to see how a property not being lived in could run up excess water usage. Electricity: that is a new one though. We have almost finished construction of our house in a house/land package and certainly NOT been charged for electricity. Land settlement was back in Febuary. Re: Who pays for water / utilities during construction? 6Aug 19, 2008 4:24 pm We only just received our water bill the other day for the new block, so I rang the builder to verify. Apparently, with our builder anyway, we pay for the water connection and usage (because to build a house it is the least used, around $8 - $10 dollars in usage) and the builder pays for the connection and usage of the power ( because this is the most expensive and they use approx $80 - $100)... So I don't have any dramas with that... nice and easy... Hope this helps... Gav & Vanessa Building In Melbourne (Sth East Suburbs) http://www.arkraider.blogspot.com/ Rawdon Hill Construction - Canterbury Heritage Re: Who pays for water / utilities during construction? 7Aug 19, 2008 5:19 pm Just to clarify: are water rates in other states done same as here?
We have a standard water/ sewer rate which is based on property value, and that includes a set amount of 'free' water, you only pay usage costs if you go over this amount (ie excess water). A property under construction may use some water but no way past the 'free' water allocation therefore no charge other than the original rate which the owner of the land (ie you not the builder) is paying already. Sounds like you may have a different system ?? TDL, you know about water systems in different states, perhaps you can comment?? Re: Who pays for water / utilities during construction? 8Aug 19, 2008 5:21 pm Thats the same for us here in Perth. Re: Who pays for water / utilities during construction? 9Aug 19, 2008 6:12 pm We paid for the water, both the rates/parks charges and useage once we owned the land and throughout the build, but come settlement day we signed forms to switch the ownership of the accounts FROM the builders name into our own.... that applied for both the Gas and Electricity.
Maybe it depends on your builder?? Maybe it's THEIR particular policy, but its not that way with the volume builders in Melbourne? Re: Who pays for water / utilities during construction? 10Aug 19, 2008 9:38 pm I think it depends where you are - I know that in my contract it does specifiy that we are liable for the utilities once the meters are in and usage starts. I work for an electricity company and often see accounts that have been opened by the builders' electrical contractors in the names of the clients - (which they are certainly entitled to do if it is in the contract) Built a Clarendon 'Balmain' 2008 Re: Who pays for water / utilities during construction? 11Aug 19, 2008 9:49 pm We demolished and are rebuilding, so we continue to pay for all of that during the build. The only thing I can have reversed is the quarterly sewage disposal charge! Solidarity, not solidity.......The Lexicon of Life Re: Who pays for water / utilities during construction? 12Nov 14, 2008 2:42 pm i think it depends who u build with. for us we paid for the water bill but was told by my builders that once the building is done they will reimburse the amount for the usage of water (not the sewage and park victoria)
Electricity was paid by them and we were told to get it on our name on d hand over date... 1 62025 i would suggest nothing is unreasonable for PCI. we did all sorts, including checking the hot water, checking all the GPO's had power, testing that the showers were… 9 98697 Just to makea point about this, an approach that some people have found sucessful in negotiating these rises down, Is to provide some workings to the builder, specifying… 4 81734 |