Cairns Regional Council

Environment, Water & Waste

Settlement Water Search (Meter Reading)

A settlement water search (meter reading) would be requested when you buy or sell a property. Your settlement agent (normally a solicitor) would request one along with various other land record certificates and searches required for conveyance.

All types of land record searches can be requested from Cairns Regional Council and Water & Waste using a single Form.

View online forms.

Please Note: If you require a settlement water search it must be requested on the land record form and is separate from a rates search.

Requesting a Settlement Water Search

Two types of searches can be requested. Details of each type are shown below:

Request Type Charges

Reading within 5 working days of receipt of payment

$32.90 per request

Reading within 24 hours of receipt of payment

$53.40 per request

To check if a meter is connected to the property in which you are interested, prior to requesting a search, please contact Water & Waste Customer Service on (07) 4044 8200.

Applications should be forwarded to the address on the top of the form with a cheque made payable to Water & Waste enclosed. Requests cannot be processed unless a cheque for the correct amount is enclosed.

Enquiries

Enquiries relating to Settlement Water Meter Searches should be directed to the Water & Waste Customer Service Centre.

How is the Water Usage Adjusted at Settlement?

Your settlement agent will proportion the costs between the two parties involved based on the sale date. Contact your Settlement agency for more information.

How is your Ownership Updated?

Your settlement agent notifies Queensland Land Registry of the transfer of title and they forward the information to Cairns Regionial Council.

Are you the new owner of a property and did not own the property for the full period covered in your water bill?

You will need to consult with your settlement agency in order to determine how they dealt with water usage charges. They may have conducted a Settlement Water Search (on or around the date of settlement) and apportioned the water usage to either yourself or the previous owner.

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