Under the terms of the new Flood and Water Management Act, landlords could soon be liable for their tenants' unpaid water bills.

This change in policy has come about because of increasing numbers of people absconding from rental properties without settling their water bill and the government is proposing to make it compulsory for landlords to supply information about their tenants -- or become liable for the account themselves.

Unfortunately for the water companies, nothing is exactly stacked in their favour: if the occupier of the property fails to pay the water rates bill, there is very little the water company can do as their hands are tied. They have to provide water to the property, irrespective of whether the tenant or owner has signed a contract, and landlords are not obliged to pass on any information about their tenants, which makes it difficult to trace the debtor.

Water companies are not even allowed to cut off water supply if the bill goes unpaid, so other than making threats, there is not a lot they can do.

How is the government planning on changing things?