When renting in Australia, the bills you have to pay depend on your lease agreement, but there are standard inclusions and extras. Rent is the main cost, paid weekly or fortnightly, and a bond of 4-6 weeks rent is held by the state bond authority. In most states, tenants are responsible for electricity, gas, and internet and phone bills, which are in the tenant's name. Water usage charges are often passed to tenants if the property is individually metered, is water efficient, and the lease states it, but the landlord must pay the fixed water service charges. For example, in NSW and VIC, if the property meets water efficiency standards, the tenant pays for water usage, otherwise the landlord cannot charge. Tenants also pay for contents insurance if they choose to have it, which is strongly recommended. Landlords typically pay council rates, strata levies, building insurance, land tax and maintenance costs. If you rent a furnished property or a room in a share house advertised as bills included, then electricity, gas, water and internet may be included in a higher rent, which is common for student accommodation and flatshares on Flatmates.com.au. At the start of a tenancy, you also need to budget for connection fees for utilities and internet. Always check your lease for what is included, because additional charges like gardening or lawn mowing can sometimes be assigned to tenants in some states.
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