The content on this page is not written by Polity.org.za, but is supplied by third parties. This content does not constitute news reporting by Polity.org.za.

The City of Johannesburg’s revised draft Rates Policy is now available for additional public comments after being adjusted to incorporate input received on the document in virtual public meetings held in February 2021. 

The revised Rates Policy is currently available on the City’s website for public comment alongside the draft 2021/22 Mid-Term Budget and the Integrated Development Plan (IDP). The draft documents are also being presented for input in ongoing virtual & physical public meetings. 

The Rates Policy, which is reviewed annually defines and categorises all properties within the borders of Johannesburg. It also allows the City to generate rates revenue by assigning a tariff to the property values obtained in the General Valuation Roll.

The newly proposed rates tariff increases in the 2021/22 Budget have reduced the Property rate from 4% last year to two percent (2%) across all categories of properties.

The Member of the Mayoral Committee for Finance, Cllr Jolidee Matongo explained that the proposed significant drop in the property rate was to ease the negative economic impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on both property owners and the City while ensuring sustainable service delivery.

“It is important that the City, within its confines, finds a balance between its financial sustainability to enable service delivery continuation and the affordability of residents amidst the Covid-19 pandemic’s economic impact on all of us, hence residents’ comments on the draft Rates Policy, Budget and the IDP are important,” MMC Matongo said.

Amendments to the draft Rates Policy include an increase in income levels for pensioners who qualify for the spectrum of pensioner rebates that are available. Pensioners aged 60 and above, with a property valued at R2 500 000 or below, and a gross monthly income that is below or equal to R10 545 – up from R10 338 last year - qualify for a 100% rebate. 

In addition, pensioners who earn above R10 546, and not more than R18 073 - up from a maximum of R17 719 last year, qualify for a 50% rebate. “The goal is to widen the net to allow a larger number of qualifying pensioners to benefit from the rebate programme,” said MMC Matongo.

Other adjustments to the draft Rates Policy include:

The inclusion of rating for long term lease which is defined as a property in the Property Rates Act but was never rated in the past.

A single category for multipurpose properties rated in terms of use, and the property market value as determined by the Municipal valuer in line with Section 9 (2) of the Municipal Property Rates Act.

The implementation of a transitional period, which will see the City implement all Section 8 (2)(3) and (4) of the Municipal Property Rates Act, allowing for the inclusion of all categories and sub-categories in the 2022 General valuation Roll.

The draft Rates Policy is currently available on the City’s website (www.joburg.org.za) alongside the 2021/22 Mid-Term Budget and IDP. Public comments may be made in writing and submitted before 8 May 2021 by email to ratescomments@joburg.org.za. The new Rates Policy is expected to come into effect on 1 July 2021.

Issued by The City of Johannesburg