Midrand property owners raise concerns at rates policy review meeting
MIDRAND – Midrand residents share their thoughts on the City's Rates Policy.
Packed to capacity, the Midrand Fire Station auditorium marked the start of the first Rates Policy review meeting in Ward 132 on 27 January.
The rates policy review meeting is a legislated process. The 1996 constitution of the Republic of South Africa empowers the council to determine rates on properties. The City is currently embarking on a series of public consultation meetings citywide to allow
all stakeholders to give inputs and submissions for consideration when putting together the draft Rates Policy.
According to Pumza Jack, the City’s rates policy specialist, the council charges different rates for different categories of rateable properties in terms of Section 8 of the Act.
She explained that all rateable properties will be classified in a category and will be rated based on the category of the property from the valuation roll which is based on the permitted use of the property unless otherwise stated. “Zoning plays a big role in how the City categorises properties. Residents are encouraged to check their zoning to check if they are categorised and charged correctly for rates.”
She added that the City will not levy a rate on the first part of the value up to R350 000 of the market value as per the valuation roll, however, this only applies to residential properties.
Sharon van Niekerk, a property owner in Grand Central, Midrand, said she appreciates the fact that the City considers their submissions, however, she is disappointed with the inconsistency that she is experiencing in her property. She said her property has been re-zoned three times in the past four years, leaving her with a huge debt.
“In 2016, my property was zoned as residential and I only noticed after I was sent a huge bill that in 2017 my property was zoned as a business. I queried that and I was told it has been sorted, again in July last her I received another huge bill and I was told my property is rezoned as a business again. I am a pensioner I am not running any business on my property,” said Van Niekerk.
John Achkan from Glen Austin said he feels the City is pushing pensioners out of their properties. Rates continue to go up every five years while tariffs go up every year. On the other hand, the pension they thought would take care of them on retirement is running out.
“We thought we would die in our houses, however, we are forced to sell or leave the homes that we have lived in for more than 30 or 40 years because we can’t afford rates anymore. We urge Council to consider not charging rate to pensioners irrespective of the value of their properties or their age more especially those that have owned these properties for over 40 years,” said Achkan.
In response to the submissions, Jack emphasised the importance of zoning in guiding the City to charge property rates and also welcomed the input and submissions by all the stakeholders.
She said the closing date for submissions is 11 March 2020 and gave the email address to be used for further written submissions (RatesComments@joburg.org.za). Jack urged residents to come in their numbers as the City will continue with public consultations in Region A in the following areas: Ivory Park North Community Hall, Rabie Ridge Community Centre, Rivonia Recreational Club and Diepsloot Youth Centre.
Related article:
https://www.citizen.co.za/midrand-reporter/216512/city-fire-stations-gets-42-new-ambulances/
