The Modimolle-Mookgophong Municipality will soon start the process of compiling a new valuation roll for the 2024 to 2029 term.
The value of one’s property affects the rates payable to the municipality. It is therefore very important to ensure that residents scrutinize all the details and verify that they are correct before the process ends, Johannes Molekwa, the Manager of Revenue Services warned. Less than 15 residents attended the public engagement meeting for residential property owners that was held on Friday 3 November. Meetings for farm and business property owners were held during the preceding two days.
Rates are currently calculated according to the 2019 valuation roll, which comes to an end on June 31 next year, by which time the new roll must be completed.
“We experienced a great number of problems with the previous roll with many residents objecting after the cut-off date. Due to legislation, we unfortunately had to go ahead and implement it. We want to avoid a repeat of that. We have appointed Acitva Valuation Services to assist us this year,” said Molekwa (previous Chief Financial Officer at the municipality).
The director of the company, Mesuli Dhlamini as well as Johan Bosman, the valuator, attended the meetings in town.
According to Molekwa the first draft of the roll will be available at the end of the month.
“We will engage with residents again and request that they verify the information and have it rectified before the due date. With 38,000 properties, mistakes are bound to slip in. If we work together, we can keep this to a minimum,” he said.
The valuation roll will be certified by January 31 next year and according to law, the municipality has to inform residents within 21 days that the roll is open for inspection. It must be made available on the municipality’s website.
“We will have until May for rectifications. Residents may object to information regarding their own property, but not the whole roll,” he said. “From July 1 property tax will be levied on the value of one’s property as stated on the valuation roll.”
The price at which properties in the area were sold for, size, improvements, etc. determines the value. Schools and hospitals’ worth are cost-based (what it will cost to replace), residential properties are size-based and business properties are income-based.
Besides visiting properties, the valuator will make use of technology such as aerial photography, computer-assisted maps and building plans. If a property cannot be valued properly, they will pay a visit, showing their ID cards and contact numbers.
“When making objections, be sure to use the correct form, which will be available at the municipality. Keep a copy for yourself too,” Molekwa said.
The category under which properties fall will be looked at closely, as this has caused high bills for some residents. Some small holdings are listed as agricultural but are mainly used for residential. Some residential properties used to be business properties but have reverted to being residential premises. This change in category can result in incorrect assessments.
