I investigated this increase, as I was not aware of any mid-year tariff increase.
My investigation found that Ekurhuleni adjusted the valuation of my property based on a new property valuation that was contained in the fourth Supplementary Municipal Valuation Roll. The supplementary valuation roll does not enjoy the elevated status of the General Valuation that takes place every four years.
The last general valuation was in 2013 (GV2013) and three supplementary valuation rolls have been released. The supplementary valuation roll contains properties that were omitted on the GV2013, alternatively new properties that have not been valued before. The supplementary valuation roll is currently open for inspection at the Municipal Offices.
Most residents don’t visit the Municipal offices to inspect the supplementary valuation roll and review their property valuation. I would encourage residents that noted an increase in their property rates account to go to the Alberton Customer Care Centre and inspect their property value. This activity is regulated by the Municipal Property Rates Act that is a national law that gives the municipality the power to value and rate properties located within the boundaries of municipalities.
This law also allows ratepayers to object if they feel that their property has been over- or under-valued, or incorrectly categorised. It is the individual right and duty of every ratepayer to bring incorrect valuations to the attention of the Municipality. Correct property values are important to ensure that the municipality collects the correct amount of rates from the community.
If your property is incorrectly valued you will pay too much in rates and it is unfair to you, and if you pay too little rates it in unfair to the rest of the community and the Municipality. Ekurhuleni has applied for condonation with COCTA to receive late objections for supplementary 3 and appeals for supplementary 2 until March 31, 2015.
This application is still pending, but if there are property owners/representative lodging late objections or appeals, Ekurhuleni will receive such objections on the basis that they will only be addressed upon approval from COGTA. I would like to encourage residents and ratepayers to be vigilant and ensure that they object timeously.
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