Renting does not have to mean giving up convenient filtered water at home. The practical question is how to add it without taking over the kitchen, changing the benchtop unnecessarily or creating extra work when you move.
For some households, a filter jug is enough. Others prefer drinking water directly from a kitchen tap. A compact under-sink system with a suitable three-way mixer can be worth considering, provided the property owner agrees to the proposed work and the installation suits the kitchen.
Start with permission and a clear installation plan
Before replacing a tap or connecting equipment to the plumbing, discuss the proposal with your landlord or property manager. Explain what will be installed, who will carry out the work and what will happen at the end of the tenancy.
Rental rules vary across Australia. For example, Consumer Affairs Victoria distinguishes between changes renters can make without permission and those requiring consent. Check the guidance for your state or territory and record any approval and restoration arrangements in writing.
A proposal that identifies the equipment, connection points and removal plan gives the owner something concrete to assess.
Choose an option that suits everyday use
Think about how much drinking and cooking water you use, how long you expect to stay and which space you can spare.
- A filter jug avoids a fixed plumbing connection, but needs refilling and space in the fridge or on the bench.
- A countertop unit keeps equipment accessible, although some models need a tap connection while others have a manually filled reservoir.
- An under-sink system keeps the treatment equipment out of sight and supplies a connected drinking-water outlet, but requires an installation assessment.
These options do not necessarily provide the same treatment. Compare the particular model’s specifications with your water source and the result you want.
A compact system can fit around the existing kitchen
HG PureWater’s tankless under-sink designs keep the equipment below the bench, helping preserve the kitchen’s existing appearance and usable worktop.
The HGH-26 Compact Reverse Osmosis System has approximate body dimensions of 343 × 150 × 420 mm. The HGH-24 Tankless Reverse Osmosis System measures approximately 407 × 139 × 433 mm.
Their compact bodies can make it possible to add drinking-water filtration without redesigning the kitchen layout. Actual fit still depends on the cupboard: sink bowls, waste pipes, drawers and existing appliances all take up space.
Measure the usable area and allow additional room for tubing, electrical connections and cartridge servicing. The body dimensions alone are not the complete installation footprint.
A three-way tap can avoid an extra benchtop hole
A conventional under-sink filter may use a separate drinking-water tap. Where there is no suitable spare opening, that arrangement can involve another hole in the sink or benchtop.
The HG Mixer Tap combines hot, cold and filtered-water functions in one fitting. Where the existing tap hole and mounting arrangement are suitable, it can replace the original mixer without drilling an additional benchtop hole. This offers a way to retain a single-tap layout while adding filtered drinking water.
The tap must be paired with a compatible filtration configuration. Have HG and the installer check compatibility, including any functions associated with the system’s supplied display tap. Avoid assuming that matching tubing alone makes every combination suitable.
Plan the connections and the eventual move
Avoiding another benchtop hole does not mean the installation involves no plumbing work. An under-sink RO system needs suitable water, drainage and power connections. Ask a licensed plumber to assess these before ordering.
Agree whether the original tap should be stored for reinstatement, who owns the new equipment and who will pay for removal or restoration. If you intend to take the system to your next home, allow for professional disconnection and a fresh suitability check there.
Also budget for replacement cartridges and any servicing. A convenient installation should remain accessible after cleaning products and other cupboard contents are put back.
Check your rental kitchen with HG PureWater
Send HG PureWater photos of your current tap, the cupboard beneath the sink and the available connections, together with your postcode and any landlord requirements.
We can help assess a compact system and three-way tap arrangement that suits the space, with the aim of keeping the existing kitchen layout and avoiding additional benchtop drilling wherever the installation allows.
References
Sources checked on 28 September 2026. Product specifications and installation requirements should be confirmed before ordering.
- Consumer Affairs Victoria — Renters making changes to the property. Victorian guidance; check the relevant authority for other states and territories.
- HG PureWater — HGH-26 product specifications.
- HG PureWater — HGH-24 product specifications.
- HG PureWater — HG Mixer Tap installation and compatibility information.
