The City of Johannesburg is set to tighten-up the screws on the illegal use of properties in order to enforce compliance with the building control by-laws.
The City proposes higher increases for the illegal use of properties. The proposal is made in the draft Property Rates Policy and proposed tariffs which have been tabled for public comment before 30 April.
The City proposes a six per cent tariff increase on the illegal use of properties on top of the fact that these properties are already paying four times more than residential properties. Good examples are the recent debacle over a private school that opened in a residential area without proper consent, as well as residents’ dismay over various taverns and bottle stores in Roodepoort CBD.
Spokesperson for the City’s Group Finance Cluster, Stanley Maphologela says the proposal follows after the City held public meetings with customers across Johannesburg earlier in the year to get their inputs. During these public meetings some customers complained about the mushrooming of illegal businesses in their neighbourhoods.
“As part of the consultation process, our customers raised concerns about illegal businesses such as bottle stores in their areas. We are proposing these measures as part of enforcing compliance to the City’s building by-laws,” said Maphologela.
He explained it was important for customers to obtain consent of use from the municipality, which would allow them to run their businesses from the residential area.
However, private properties with public benefit would get rebates. The proposal is for a 100 per cent rebate for organisations protecting animals, 40 per cent rebates for private sports clubs and 20 per cent rebates for heritage sites. This will go a long way to alleviate the financial woes of the SPCA who recently admitted it is struggling.
The City uses rates revenue to fund some of the essential public services like health, safety and security, public parks, roads and other community related services.
The draft policy is currently available on the City’s website (www.joburg.org.za) and comments may be made in writing and submitted before 30 April by fax: 011 727 0189 or by email to RatesComment@joburg.org.za. The new Rates Policy will come into effect on 1 July.
