City of Joburg warns property owners over annual increases on municipal bills

The City of Joburg is cautioning property owners that they will receive higher-than-normal municipal bills for the month of July 2023.

CITY OF JOBURG REMINDS PROPERTY OWNERS OF NEW TARIFFS

“Increases in ratepayers’ monthly bills results from the implementation of the annual tariffs on municipal service charges, property rates, effected by new property values which are aligned to the General Valuation Roll (GVR) 2023, and the lapsing of pensioner rebates,” Kgamanyane Maphologela, Group Finance’s Director for Communications and Stakeholder Engagement, reminded the property owners in the City of Joburg.

“All pensioners who received property rebates that lapsed on 30 June 2023, need to reapply and be re-evaluated to qualify for the new rebates,” he advised.

“The City of Joburg is sensitive to the needs of senior citizens, and all municipal accounts of registered pensioners who were previously approved to receive the lapsed pensioner rebates will immediately be flagged from any possible credit control action until the end of September 2023.” – Maphologela

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WHAT CAN PENSIONERS DO TO APPLY FOR REDUCED RATES

He said this is to allow these vulnerable categories of customers a reasonable time to reapply for a reduction of rates or renew their pensioners’ rebates subject to certain criteria.
“First time applicants who are pensioners can apply as and when they qualify.
“All applications for the rebates received on or by 30 September 2023 will be backdated to 1 July 2023 should they be successful. Pensioner’s rebate application forms are available from any municipal Customer Service Centre or on www.joburg.org.za,” he explained.

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Kgamanyane Maphologela added, “As a caring City, the City of Joburg has decided to flag all pensioner accounts who have received pensioner rebates before and have lapsed on 1 July 2023. This is done to cushion vulnerable pensioners who are awaiting the outcome of their applications”.

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MUNICIPAL BILLS MUST BE PAID DESPITE OBJECTION

He further said it is important for all customers to continue paying for municipal services until their objections and pensioner rebates are finalised. “Having an objection lodged or a pending pensioner rebate application does not mean that it is approved. Only once written correspondence to this effect is received can a property owner start paying on either reduced property value, pensioner rebate on rates or both,” he cautioned.

Furthermore, he said it is vital that property owners pay for municipal services they consume, i.e., water, electricity, sewer and refuse removal in order not to fall in arrears. “Property owners should note that their municipal bills will reflect the property value as per the new GVR2023 from 1 July 2023. Property rates that the ratepayer is charged is based on the market value of the property as determined by a Municipal Valuer in the new GVR2023,” Maphologela explained.

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