Residents are advised to check their property valuation as the re-evaluation of properties is underway and the objection deadline is approaching.
According to DA ward councillor Amanda Davison, this municipal valuation roll comes with many questions and concerns.
“Residents across Ekurhuleni are advised to check their newly proposed valuation. This as many properties across the city have seen their property value double, which will mean a hefty increase from July 1,” said Davison.
In response to the doubling of property value, the City of Ekurhuleni (CoE) said it is due to some properties being previously under-valued.
ALSO READ: From homelessness to a life of hope
“Some properties were under-valued in the previous roll and when the new roll is compiled market data as at date of valuation is used and comparable sales were used to value such properties,” said Zweli Dlamini, metro spokesperson.
“In case of income producing properties, leases and market rentals were considered in order to determine values of income-producing properties.”
Dlamini said the rates will increase for the increased property values.
“Please also note the property owners only object when their properties are over-valued, in cases of under-valuations they keep quiet so they can enjoy rates holidays,” said Dlamini.
The objection deadline is June 18 and Davison told Express, in May, each resident was supposed to receive a Section 49 notice in terms of the Municipal Property Rates Act 6 of 2004 stating the new valuation of all properties.
“However, in Kempton Park, most residents did not receive these notices, as they were found dumped in a field,” said Davison in a statement on May 14.
“We have escalated this matter to mayor Mzwandile Masina’s office, requesting a full investigation.
“Subsequently, the city has had to re-embark on re-delivering new notices to residents, which may negatively affect communities, as it limits their time to lodge objections. The valuations department has responded with: ‘the city is reprinting Kempton Park and is busy re-delivering these letters. The expectation is that all Kempton Park letters would have been re-delivered by the end of next week.
“This will mean residents may only expect their Section 49 notices by May 21.”
Express enquired to CoE, on May 14, about the notices that were alleged to have been found dumped in a field and received a reply on June 4, where Dlamini said: “The CoE did get this information and those who were involved were fired by the service provider. The matter is already investigated. CoE has already re-delivered letters in the affected suburbs of Kempton Park.”
Furthermore, Davison said the appointed valuation contractor mixed up information between Birchleigh and Birchleigh North.
“This resulted in numerous residents’ valuations showing the incorrect owner information.
“Upon receiving messages from distressed residents, the DA took up the matter with the valuations department. The following response was received: ‘those errors that are known and where there is a discrepancy between billing records and valuation records in terms of ownership those can be fixed administratively’.
“This essentially means if a resident does not report incorrect owner information on their valuation to the department, it will not be corrected automatically.”
Dlamini responded to the mixed up information allegation.
“Some properties were transferred during compilation of the valuation roll and the contents of the roll still showed the old owners,” said Dlamini.
“Secondly, deeds information received when the deed dump was given to the municipal valuer had errors which caused errors in ownership of certain properties. However, the CoE has checked those they are aware of in its billing system and it showed the CoE system has correct ownership and therefore when letters are sent to property owners in July the billing data will be used, which will reflect correct ownership, as billing data is updated on a monthly basis to make sure it has accurate, up-to-date information,” explained Dlamini.
Also follow us on:
