The tenants then complete and return by end of October. If they don't, then Irish Water will come to the landlord / management company for the tenants details. Irish water will then pursue the tenants. The tenants are responsible for all ensuing water charges. The landlord has no liability for water charges in the tenanted property.
I'm not sure if this will be the case. I just phoned Irish Water as a landlord who received a pack. I checked with my tenants and they haven't received any pack addressed to 'The Occupier'. I was told that due to 'Data Protection', I am not allowed to give Irish Water the tenants name to send out a pack and remove my liability from this charge.
So... if my tenant decides not to register & pay, which I'm sure some tenants will & the details stay in my name then I'm guessing that I will always be liable for all unpaid bills!
This doesn't sound like it's been thought through very well, what will happen if I try to sell my property with unpaid water charges from previous tenants?
How will Irish Water persue tenants who haven't paid when they won't take details from the landlord.
I don't understand what this has to do with data protection, the landlord/tenant relationship & all details including PPS numbers is registered with PRTB.
Electric Ireland and Bord Gais have no problem taking tenant details from me when a new tenant moves in & I phone with meter readings requesting final bills & registering new tenants so why should Irish Water be different.
The big difference is that they won't/can't cut off supply so tenants have much less motivation to sign up.
Looks like landlords are very exposed on this one! I wonder will Irish Water even tell me if there are any unpaid water charges if I phone to check at end of lease? If that's under data protection & they won't tell me then, then I can't deduct what I don't know about from a deposit!