WATCH: City outlines key changes to tariffs effective July 1
Government of Local Unity seeks to relieve the poor through balanced tariffs.
City of Johannesburg (CoJ) MMC for Finance, Margaret Arnolds, confirmed that tariffs are not about squeezing residents but rather a means to deliver services.
The CoJ passed the tariffs for 2025/2026 alongside the budget. They are structured to ensure the prioritisation of essential services and also to protect the most impoverished communities.
The tariffs will become effective on July 1.
@southern.courierCity of Johannesburg (CoJ) MMC for Finance, Margaret Arnolds, confirmed that tariffs are not about squeezing residents but rather a means to deliver services. The CoJ passed the tariffs for 2025/2026 alongside the budget. They are structured to ensure the prioritisation of essential services and also to protect the most impoverished communities. The tariffs will become effective on July 1. Read full story on southerncourier.co.za♬ original sound – Southern Courier
The Government of Local Unity (GLU) has supported the rebates, particularly for indigent communities, and is calling on qualifying residents to apply for the benefits.
Arnolds was pleased that the city ensured property tariffs were set at 4.6%, making it one of the lowest increases compared to other metros in the country.
“The city’s GLU is satisfied with the rebates they passed – to cushion our residents, such as pensioners, people living with disabilities, and child-headed households under financial strain,” she said.
The city has passed tariffs for municipal services as follows:
• Electricity 12.74%
• Water and sewer 13.9%
• Refuse 6.6%
• Property rates 4.6%
To shield the working and struggling households, the city has passed the following rebates:
Residential:
• The first R300 000 of all residential property values is exempt from rating.
• For residential property owners with multiple properties, the property with the highest value will receive the full residential threshold rebate. For additional properties, the rebate will be capped at R15 000.
Pensioners aged between 60 to 69 years
• Pensioners whose gross monthly income is below and equal to R13 049 are eligible for a 100% rebate on properties valued up to R1,5m.
• Pensioners whose gross monthly income is above R13 049 or less than or equal to R22 367 qualify for a 50% rebate for properties with a market value up to R1,5m.
• Pensioners whose monthly income is above R22 367 are not eligible for a rebate.
• Rates will be levied on properties with a market value over R1,5m.
@southern.courierThe Government of Local Unity (GLU) has supported the rebates, particularly for indigent communities, and is calling on qualifying residents to apply for the benefits. Read full story on southerncourier.co.za
Pensioner aged 70 and above qualify for a 100% rebate on properties valued up to R2m, irrespective of their income level.
Arnolds stated that, to encourage regular payment of municipal services, rebate applications will only be processed if the account is not in arrears – unless there is a dispute or a payment arrangement in place.
“We need to encourage a culture of consistent payment. Should the customer default on a payment arrangement, the city reserves the right to withdraw the rebate. The rebate serves as a reward for property owners who keep their accounts up to date,” she concluded.
