The City of Johannesburg has said that owners who have objected to their property valuations earlier this year may still pay rates based on their old valuations until the objection has been finalised, but some objectors who have done this are receiving termination notices.
Executive Mayor Herman Mashaba said that although the new rates will still be reflected in their monthly bill, the account will not be put under credit management processes. The condition was, however, that the owner be up to date on their accounts up until 30 June this year.
Earlier this year, the City unveiled its 2018 general valuation roll (GV2018), which some 50 000 objections were lodged against. Many have also recently realised that their properties’ zoning has been changed from residential to business. This meant their rates skyrocketed to the much higher business rate on properties. Some of these property owners are pensioners who have since been denied rebates because of the increase in the value of their properties.
Finance MMC Funzela Ngobeni said the City is well geared towards the February 2019 deadline to finalise all general valuation objections lodged this year. After the completion of a resident’s objection, the City will adjust their account accordingly, he said.
The City Finance department’s Deidre Hendricks said that if the City was at fault in implementing credit management processes against residents, they will withdraw it. She said residents can call the City’s call centre at 0860 562 874 to log the issue.
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