Summary
Learn how Invoice Automate validates Console Cloud water settings so you can charge tenants for water usage correctly. Learn what to check for residential and commercial tenancies, and how GST is applied.
This article covers:
About Console Cloud water setup
This article explains what Invoice Automate checks in Console Cloud so you can on‑charge water usage to tenants with confidence. It covers residential and commercial scenarios, shows where alerts appear in Invoice Automate, and summarises how GST is applied. For configuration inside Console Cloud, follow Console’s help centre or contact Console support.
Water bill requirements
Before you can on‑charge a water bill, Invoice Automate needs key details to be present in Console Cloud. This reduces errors and ensures compliance.
Requirements
The creditor is allowed to be charged for water
The property meets water efficiency standards and has an active record
The tenant agreement specifies how water usage is reimbursed
Commercial only
Tenant liability percentage and chargeable dissections are present in the agreement
If the property is registered for GST and is commercial, charges include 10% GST
Invoices with missing or invalid details are blocked with a clear error
Tip: Use your agency’s checklist when onboarding new properties. Capture evidence of water efficiency from your plumber when you add the creditor. For Console Cloud field locations and labels, see Console’s article on water invoices and commercial outgoings.
Residential - What Invoice Automate validates
This section helps you confirm the items that Invoice Automate reads from Console Cloud for residential water-on-charging.
What to check in Console Cloud
Confirm the service, compliance, and reimbursement type so water usage can be on‑charged.
Creditor service is flagged for water - Make sure the water supplier creditor has Water selected in Services
Property has active Water Efficiency compliance - Ensure a current Water Efficiency item exists on the property with dates and the assigned creditor
Tenant agreement sets the water charge basis - In Inclusions, choose Excess Consumption or Full Charge
Note: When creating a tenancy invoice, Invoice Automate will display an alert to confirm whether the property is water efficient and whether to charge for excess consumption or the full amount.
What you will see in Invoice Automate
When reviewing a water bill, the Tenancy invoice panel will display the detected charge basis and water‑efficiency status
Once you approve the bill, Invoice Automate links the generated tenancy invoice to the bill. You can open it from the Bill view via a hyperlink, and it also appears under the tenancy’s Invoices list
Commercial - What Invoice Automate validates
Commercial tenant liabilities require the agreement to specify the liability percentage and the on‑chargeable dissections.
What to check in Console Cloud
Confirm liability details so Invoice Automate can calculate the tenant’s share.
In the Agreement, set Rent plus outgoings chargeable and enter the Liability Percentage
Select the On‑Chargeable Dissections to identify which owner bills are on‑charged
What you will see in Invoice Automate
When a bill matches a selected dissection, Invoice Automate prompts to on‑charge and notes that the tenant is liable for a percentage of the bill
If the owner is registered for GST and the property GST flag is set, Invoice Automate calculates GST on the tenant invoice according to the settings
Note: If required fields are missing, Invoice Automate will prevent approval and display a clear validation message so you can correct the data first.
Create tenancy invoices from water bills
The first time a water bill is processed for a tenancy, you must create the tenancy invoice manually in Invoice Automate. For later billing periods, Invoice Automate can automatically generate tenancy invoices when any of these conditions are true:
The lease start date is before the invoice billing period
The lease start date falls within the invoice billing period
The lease start date matches the billing period start date
How GST is applied - Product logic and compliance notes
Invoice Automate uses Console Cloud GST flags and the owner's registration to determine whether GST is added to the tenant invoice. Always confirm tax treatment with your accountant.
Product logic in Invoice Automate
Owner is GST‑registered and the owner bill already includes GST - Invoice Automate does not add extra GST. The tenant invoice shows GST-inclusive amounts based on the liability percentage
Owner is GST‑registered and the owner bill does not include GST - Invoice Automate adds 10% GST to the tenant invoice
Owner is not GST‑registered - Invoice Automate never adds GST to the tenant invoice
Compliance context (AU)
For commercial leases, outgoings paid by a tenant are generally part of the consideration for the taxable supply of the premises, so GST applies even if the original outgoing (for example, council water rates) did not include GST, provided the landlord is registered. This follows ATO GST Determination GSTD 2000/10
For residential premises rented for residential accommodation, rent is input‑taxed, and GST is not charged on the rent. This principle affects how on‑charges may be treated in residential contexts and is set out by the ATO. Always seek tax advice for your specific scenario
Note: The broad ATO position for commercial leasing (GSTD 2000/10) is that tenant‑paid outgoings form part of the consideration for the taxable supply of commercial premises. If your agency chooses not to add GST in a commercial setting because the supplier bill had no GST, that may conflict with ATO guidance. Please confirm with your tax adviser before changing settings.
State water‑efficiency rules you may need to evidence
State legislation often requires water efficiency before tenants can be charged for water usage. Keep compliance records with the property.
Queensland (RTA) - You may only pass on full water consumption if the property is individually metered, water-efficient, and the agreement states that the tenant must pay for water. Keep evidence such as plumber certificates or WELS documentation
New South Wales (NSW Fair Trading) - A landlord can charge for water usage only if the property is separately metered and meets water efficiency measures. From 23 March 2025, stricter measures apply, including dual‑flush toilets with minimum WELS ratings
Tip: Store the water efficiency evidence in Console Cloud’s Compliance area, then ensure the item is active so Invoice Automate can validate it.