Payment extensions available to property owners – Hart
"The finance revenue division through account and credit control sections will flag relevant accounts for payment extension for three months in anticipation of objection outcome.”
Following the closure of the property valuation roll in June, Ward 18 Clr Heather Hart informed property owners that they can apply for a payment extension.
Earlier this year, the NEWS reported extensively on how the increased property values would affect property owners in the community.
Some of the properties, which were reported on had increased by 222%, others 350% and some 1 000% on the 2021-2025 general valuation roll.
Ward 20 Clr Jill Humphreys, Residents Action Group (RAG) Bedfordview chairperson Marina Constas, and property owners expressed frustration and disbelief over the increased property values.
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In a letter from the City of Ekurhuleni’s Department of Finance: Revenue Management given to the NEWS by Hart, it stated that just objecting does not defer liability for payment of rates.
It informed property owners that they are liable to pay rates charged as per the general valuation roll values regardless of objections.
“Should outcomes result in reduced value, the City has a responsibility to reverse overcharges and should there be no change on the value, the ratepayer then remains liable to pay what has been charged per published roll value,” read the letter.
It further read that property rates would be levied in accordance with the published general valuation roll with effect from July 1, 2021.
“Adjustments will be made to accounts on receipt of the objection outcome.
“Should property owners remain dissatisfied with the outcome an appeal may be lodged, which will be considered by the appeal’s board.
“To assist property owners who submitted formal valuation objections, the finance revenue division through account and credit control sections will flag relevant accounts for payment extension for three months in anticipation of objection outcome.”
Property owners are advised by the city to keep undisputed service charges accounts paid and up to date to avoid escalating service debt.
Once the objection outcome is received, the payment extension will stop.
“Credit control enforcement will be implemented according to the credit control and debt collection policy in respect of arrear debt,” read the letter.
Hart explained that to apply for a payment extension, Edenvale property account holders need to send an email with the property owners’ full names, address, account number and objection reference number with their request at allen.kitley@ekurhuleni.gov.za or mariette.debeer@ekurhuleni.gov.za.
“Property owners must request that until the process is concluded, they would like to continue paying the existing levy with eight percent interest or a percentage of their choice of the levy applicable to the value they provided as fair market value,” said Hart.
She said, based on information she’s received from the city, the objections are with the municipal valuer and it is estimated that the objection outcomes should be released in September.
Hart reminded residents that if they are unhappy with the objection outcome there is still an appeals process.
She said Ward 18 residents can include her on the emailed submissions if they wish to do so.
Property owners in Ward 19 should communicate with Clr Bill Rundle at bill.rundle@ekurhuleni.gov.za
Hart encouraged residents of other wards to contact their councillors similarly.
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