Residents have complained about the staggering increase in the value of their property as reflected by the recently compiled City of Ekurhuleni’s property valuation roll.
Some of the residents, mostly owners of property in estates and suburbs, claimed the recently released property valuation roll reflects a 100 per cent increase in the value of their property.
The Advertiser asked the metro for clarity on the valuation roll and what could have led to the said much too large increases in residents’ property values.
According to Lereku Leku, a senior valuer at the City of Ekurhuleni, the issue stems from previous general valuation processes, where some of the properties in the City were undervalued.
“Undervaluation may have led to what people now view as exorbitant increases. Affected property owners didn’t bother at the time to object to the incorrect value of their property as it benefited them,” said Leku.
Leku, however, pointed out that following the release of the property valuation roll on February 24, residents who feel the value of their property is incorrect still have the opportunity to submit their objection up until the cut-off date, June 18.
He added that the set objection processes are not the last resort as objectors who are not happy with the outcome of the objection can still lodge an appeal, which will be heard on a stipulated date in the appeal board where both parties (municipal valuer and appellant) will be present in terms of Section 54 of the MPRA.
“If the objector is still not happy about the outcome of the appeal they can then approach the high court,” explained Leku.
When asked if residents have the option to submit their objections online, instead of going to their respective municipal offices amid the pandemic, Leku said there are trained officials who are stationed at municipal offices to assist objectors to ensure their forms are correctly filled, accepted and captured.
“The form is available online to printout and fill. But no personnel are available online to assist the objector to correctly fill the form, thus to help avoid submission of invalid forms that may not be accepted because of mistakes.”
Responding to residents complaining about having to queue at the offices to submit their forms, Leku said objectors may after the form is properly filled and inspected choose to wait until their information is captured or leave the form and request that the objection number be sent to them once the form has been captured.
More complaints received
Clr Fana Nkosi, DA shadow MMC for finance in Ekurhuleni, also weighed in with criticisms regarding the outcome of the valuation process, describing the City’s property valuation roll as an uncaring attitude towards residents by the ANC-led municipality.
“The DA in Ekurhuleni has been inundated with calls and complaints from property owners across the CoE, highlighting their concerns and frustrations regarding the latest valuation roll.
“As the DA, we find it totally unacceptable that the ANC and its coalition partners can merely slap residents with ridiculous proposed property prices, with some experiencing an increase of 100 per cent.
“We have tirelessly been in contact with officials demanding answers, as we share the frustrations of property owners across the City.
“It is inexcusable that the ANC coalition-led City hides behind the defence that contractors conducted the valuation for the new period – 2021-2025.
“Compounding the issue is that many residents have tried to access the valuation roll site; however, it continues to crash. The DA has demanded that the valuation roll objection forms be made available online urgently, for residents wanting to object,” said Nkosi.
New general valuation roll
Opti and Black Dot property consultants have completed the process of collecting the data and handed the draft valuation over to the City.
The rates in line with the new 2021-2025 general valuation roll will only be effective from July 1.
Depending on the number of objections, the objection process may be finalised towards the end of the year, according to Leku.
The metro, however, advises objectors to pay the fees that municipalities are charging them pending the outcome of their applications. Those who are struggling to afford the new rates have the options to make payments arrangements in their respective municipal offices.
“Should the applicants wins the cases, their account will be credited because that will mean they were being overcharged. But if they lose, that means they owe the municipality, and they will have to pay all the outstanding amount,” explained Leku.
Also Read: Metro appoints contractor for maintenance of valuation roll
