Sufficient Hot Water to what level?

Discussion in 'Property Management' started by Alan NSW, 11th Aug, 2015.

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  1. Alan NSW

    Alan NSW New Member

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    Hi all,

    I am a landlord and I have recently rented out a house to a family of 6. Subsequent to moving in, they mentioned that the hot water is not sufficient for them to shower at the same time, and have discovered that the hot water tank is small (which is suitable for a 2-3 people unit use).

    My agent mentioned that it is a legal requirement to provide hot water to the tenants (for which I do understand) but the question here is does hot water needs to be provided to suit the tenants' wants, instead of needs? (e.g. in this case they can spread their shower out throughout the day instead of using all the hot water in one go).

    Thank you in advance :)

    Alan
     
    Alan NSW, 11th Aug, 2015
    #1
  2. Elives

    Elives Well-Known Member

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    how big is the hot water tank? etc most water efficient shower roses are 9L/min
    the average shower should be 4 minutes.

    120L tank

    120/9 = 13mins of water use. so 3 people could have a 4 minute shower. meaning you would need a bigger tank.

    also you might only have 5/8 copper for the hot line which would be a issue. figure out what the tank is first. if the tank size is fine call a plumber.
     
    Elives, 11th Aug, 2015
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  3. Jess Peletier

    Jess Peletier Mortgage Broker - Australia Wide

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    Whoever said a 4 minute shower is acceptable is clearly male. Have you ever to wash and condition hair, shave legs, wash body and so on in 4 minutes? Ridiculous. ;)
     
    Jess Peletier, 11th Aug, 2015
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  4. EN710

    EN710 Well-Known Member

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    *cough*
    First minute - all wet including hair, apply shampoo,
    Second minute - while shampoo left on head, do body wash with scrub, rinse,
    Third minute apply conditioner, wash face,
    Fourth minute - rinse. Done.

    Shave legs? Why do you need to do that?
     
    EN710, 11th Aug, 2015
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  5. Jess Peletier

    Jess Peletier Mortgage Broker - Australia Wide

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    Because braidable leg hair is socially unacceptable. :eek:
     
    Jess Peletier, 11th Aug, 2015
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  6. EN710

    EN710 Well-Known Member

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    If it's yours ala naturale, YES! :rolleyes:
    and I doubt you have braidable hair leg.
    How about laser treatment? save your shower time.
     
    EN710, 11th Aug, 2015
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  7. Chilliblue

    Chilliblue Well-Known Member

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    Go with the size of the tank as the comparison. If you have 6 people, the tank should be listed as that.
     
    Chilliblue, 11th Aug, 2015
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  8. vtt

    vtt Well-Known Member

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    FYI Laser treatment doesn't work on blonde hair.

    I agree with Jess. 4 minutes for a shower is simply ridiculous.

    This doesn't help the OP though.

    vtt
     
    vtt, 11th Aug, 2015
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  9. Scott No Mates

    Scott No Mates Well-Known Member

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    Because it's de rigeur if you ride a bike or as I read today a runner.
     
    Scott No Mates, 11th Aug, 2015
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  10. bob shovel

    bob shovel Well-Known Member

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    How many bed rooms is the house?
    If you have a 2x1 week the small would be sufficient that's in them to squeeze in.
    If it's 4x2 well you need bigger to match the house i think.
    How old is the tank? If it's a small one I'd think it's an older one on an older house. Might be time to upgrade anyway
     
    bob shovel, 11th Aug, 2015
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  11. JenW

    JenW Well-Known Member

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    But nice and warm in winter :D
     
    JenW, 11th Aug, 2015
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  12. Scott No Mates

    Scott No Mates Well-Known Member

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    The charts for correctly sizing of hot water tanks have been around since Noah was a kid (maybe longer).
    upload_2015-8-11_21-29-43.png
    upload_2015-8-11_21-30-42.png
     
    Scott No Mates, 11th Aug, 2015
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  13. Gockie

    Gockie Unicyclist Premium Member

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    Hmmm.... now you are making me think I have an inadequate hot water system in an IP... It's only 50 litres and it was like that when I bought it... but my first unit also only had 50 litres and I don't recall ever having hot water issues (2 person household), we lived there for 3 years...
     
    Last edited: 12th Aug, 2015
    Gockie, 11th Aug, 2015
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  14. bob shovel

    bob shovel Well-Known Member

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    bob shovel, 11th Aug, 2015
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  15. Scott No Mates

    Scott No Mates Well-Known Member

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    None, he had an ark.
     
    Scott No Mates, 12th Aug, 2015
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  16. Gockie

    Gockie Unicyclist Premium Member

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    Lol
     
    Gockie, 12th Aug, 2015
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  17. Nemo

    Nemo Well-Known Member

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    Surely its up to the tenant to check things like the capacity of the hot water system before deciding to sign a lease.... particularly if there are 6 of you. Its something I always consider as I hate to run out of hot water.
     
    Nemo, 12th Aug, 2015
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  18. wylie

    wylie Moderator Staff Member

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    Is this a house or a unit? How many bedrooms?

    If you are likely to have a family of five or six renting next time, then I'd bite the bullet and increase the capacity. If this is just a one off and you are likely to mostly be renting to two or three people, then maybe tell them this is the case, and they need to find somewhere more suitable to them.

    We had a couple once wanting to rent a three bedroom, one bathroom house and have two other couples live with them. That is six adults. We passed on that one.

    If it is old and needs replacing, then bite the bullet and put in the size most suitable but I wouldn't want to replace it if the tenant is pushing the boundaries and you are unlikely to need a larger one into the future, or it doesn't need replacing now anyway.
     
    wylie, 12th Aug, 2015
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  19. Alan NSW

    Alan NSW New Member

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    thank you everyone for your reply. What we found annoying is that the agent kept on pushing us to change it (at a very inflated cost when compared to the quotes we got) to a much bigger one (they said the current one, which i believe comes with the house when it was built - 70s) is not sufficient (only heat up overnight). We are still seeking advice, may have to replace it with the same size but more modern (so can re-heat throughout the day) or try to change the setting on the old one that can reheat anytime throughout the day.

    Funny thing - agent mentioned that NSW Office of Fair Trading said sufficient hot water is essential, but when i called them, the office said there is actually no guidelines regarding what is sufficient (as in how much L is required), and it can either be decided by the tribunal; or via an agreement. will see how it goes
     
    Alan NSW, 12th Aug, 2015
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  20. bob shovel

    bob shovel Well-Known Member

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    You can and probably should change out to heat during the day. It's currently on "off peak" by the sounds.I'm surprised they can even wash the dishes if it's a small tank and off peak. Call the electricity company to revert it.
    You sound like you don't like hot water
     
    bob shovel, 12th Aug, 2015
    #20
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