The second phase of billing regionalisation, a system the City of Johannesburg’s revenue department has started implementing since last year, has begun.
The first phase was implemented on 1 February within regions A, B, C, E and Portion U (large usage consumers). From 1 May the second phase saw regions D (Soweto), F (Inner-City) and G (Lenasia and Ennerdale) also regionalising its billing.
The City believes that regionalisation is the answer to what many call a billing crisis.
During his State of the City Address, Mayor Herman Mashaba said there are currently over 48 000 open billing queries in the City, of which 26 000 are 90 to 365 days old.
“With the regionalisation project being introduced from 1 February next year as a phased approach, the project aims to improve the overall billing so that ratepayers are billed according to the region they live in – meters are read regionally, they know when the City reads and when it bills, and customers will be able to choose a due date between the 15th and the 28th day of each month to pay their bill,” the City’s Group Finance spokesperson Kgamanyane Maphologela said.
How will it affect you?
- The realignment from portions to regions will result in changes to your billing, meter reading and due dates
- Customers might have received two bills during the first month of implementation, this is because the new bill was billed on a pro-rata basis, in line with the implementation date, and issued in the same month
- One payment for rates, taxes and waste removal will be specifically for that month, with no more overcharging
- Customers who pay via debit order should remember to amend the date
- If you are unable to pay both bills, you are allowed to sign an Acknowledgement of Debt Arrangement document.
How will you know your new meter reading and billing dates?
- A schedule is available on the City’s website (www.joburg.org.za), at any Customer Service Centre or by calling the City at 0860 56 28 74.
How does it affect your due date?
The due date will default to 15 days after billing. You can, however, choose your own due date between the 15th and last day of the month.
Can you change your meter reading and billing dates?
No, unfortunately not.
What are the benefits?
- You can choose your own due date
- You will know when the City plans on reading your meter and when you will be billed
- There are dedicated meter readers per region
- The City’s regions are given more emphasis
- The City will understand the needs of residents through trend analyses of regions.
Related articles:
Will the billing ‘crisis’ really end?
Billing regionalisation starts
