"If you think you’re too small to make a change, try sleeping in bed with a mosquito." - Anita Roddick
This
quote ain’t new. While there’s much truth to it, and while it’s
inspirational, it’s often forgotten or overshadowed by the bigger
picture.
You
might not be able to completely change the world but you can at least start with your own backyard. And there’s no better time than the present
to do so. Not only is it easier to make changes when they are small,
but you can be confident changes close to home are ones you can affect,
ones you can control.
Hence,
no matter where you’re at in life, you can always make a change.
Everyone will make different changes, and while they may be different,
collectively a greater good is still achieved, which then trickles onto
others. I hold the domino effect in high regard.
Using
a keepcup, carrying a reusable bottle, living car-free, are some of the
changes I‘ve made. But it doesn’t stop here, nor should it ever stop,
as we and the world are constantly evolving.
So
where to now? Assess your surroundings, your environment. Change to
GreenPower, too expensive? Change to Red Energy who sources renewable
energy. Use less water but you like your long showers, so do something
else instead. Grow your own veggies but you’re not a gardener, then
don’t torture yourself into thinking that you are. So I ask the
question again, where to now?
Well,
I do own an investment property. A rental where I pay the tenant’s
water bill. You see it’s an old school apartment, one of twelve. An
apartment block with one meter, hence the reason for divving up the
water bill. Unless each apartment has its own water meter, it will
always be the responsibility of the landlord to pay the water bill.
This piece isn’t actually a rant about paying the tenants water bill,
as one could easily combat this by increasing the rent. The real issue
is however, that if the tenant isn’t paying the water bill, then they
don’t have any regard for water saving. While this is purely an
assumption, the fact that the water bill of the 3 bedroom house I share
is much less than the 1 bedroom apartment I lease, convinces me I’m not
way off. Tenants clearly don’t care about their water usage and
frankly why would they, since they aren’t the ones paying for it.
So
rather than let it be, I decided to effect change. I attended the body
corporate AGM and added water meters to the AGM agenda.
For
those in similar boats, here’s a template passed on from one concerned
landlord to another.... I welcome you to tweak it, use it and share it.
"As you are aware currently the water bill is split 12 ways, as you are also aware the cost of water has been rapidly increasing over the last few years and will continue to go up.
The benefit of individual water meters is each owner will have total control of their own water usage.
Owners that have their units leased will be able to pass the supply charges directly to their tenants, the supply charges are around $450 per year and climbing, so they will see a ROI in less than 1 ½ years.
I consider the supply charges on the high side, I have multiple family members living in houses in South East water areas, whom supply charges are less than the 12 way split I receive. Tenants clearly don’t care about their water usage, and frankly why would they, they aren’t the ones paying for it.
For owner occupied units that take holidays or live alone will see a much low yearly supply charge."
All
arguments point to a win-win situation, so if it’s just simply sending
off an email or making a call, don’t you think it’s worth it? It sure
can’t get any simpler than this to make a change.
