Property evaluations in the Western Cape are quite perplexing to many, especially the increase in rates. The process apparently had issues or glitches, which affected residents like Jeanette Stoffels of Wynberg.
Stoffels lives alone in Castletown Road, is currently unemployed and was shocked to see a relatively steep increase in her municipal rates account.
She explained to People’s Post the latest evaluation roll boosted her property’s value from R806 000 as of 1 July 2019, valuation as at 2 July 2018, to over R1,3 million.
The new value after the introduction of the 2022 General Valuation Roll on 1 July this year.
“I have a complaint against the City of Cape Town evaluation department. I received my rates account for August just to see that my account went from my usual R600 – R700 per month (still making use of grey water to try and curb my rates account) to R993,” explained Stoffels.
She pointed to an amount attributed to “sundries” she noticed on her rates account “which is related to ‘Electricity Home User usage’ added for which I was charged.
“I went to our Plumstead municipal office to inquire about this and was told that because my property valuation was increased, this was added. Apparently, we were informed about the valuation, but I didn’t receive the alleged brown envelope and my neighbour has also not received any.”
Stoffels is convinced that she is not the only one claiming not to have received the important notice informing residents of their newly proposed property evaluation.
“According to the consultant of the City who assisted me, her mother also has not received any valuation notification and this sundry was added to their rates account, too[…] Suffice to say it’s not just me, but many others, as one gentleman who visited the office told me his property was valued for R2 million, also not having received the notification.”
Answering on the City’s behalf, the Mayco member for finance Siseko Mbandezi started off explaining that: “The Home User Charge fixed cost is there to cover the cost of providing the service. Whether one uses less or more electricity, it costs the metro the same to supply it.
“The introduction of the fixed cost helps to ensure that the cost is distributed more equitably across the metro, and also enables the City to keep the usage cost lower. Eskom’s increase accounts for more than 70% of the cost the City needs to cover. It is the main driver of tariff increases.”
However, Mbandezi acknowledged that the City’s valuations department is aware of Stoffels’ matter and noted the increase in her property value. “This reflects comparable sale prices as at 1 July 2022, the valuation date of all properties on the current GV Roll,” he added.
But how come, according to Stoffels, are so many residents experiencing issues pertaining to the increase notices, which she has not received?
“There is no issue that the City is aware of,” assured Mbandezi.
“Notices to owners were posted from mid-February 2023. The South African Post Office was aware and prepared for the delivering of notices, the City had been assured.
He added that, in addition to posting and emailing valuation notices, various other channels were also used to inform property owners of the valuation and objections process.
“The City had numerous presentations on the radio and there were written media articles with extensive ongoing notification of the various different objection venues that were open over a period of over 70 days in all the local free community newspapers[…] The City also sent emails and SMSes to property owners whose details we have on record.”
Mbandezi also encouraged Stoffels to register for e-billing to receive her monthly municipal account and other important notices via email.
He provided alternative avenues for people who are in a similar boat as Stoffels: “A number of residents have moved from one tariff to another because their properties have increased in value after the General Valuation (2022). They may, however, qualify for rates rebates, indigent or pensioner support.
“We urge Ms Stoffels to approach us so that we can assist.”
What kind of assistance does the City offer for unfortunate situations in which people are living alone and unemployed?
“The City has given unprecedented levels of rates relief this year. Among others, residential ratepayers living in properties valued at R5 million and under gets a discount on the first R450 000 of residential property valuations.
“The City has extensive rates and services relief options available to residents who are struggling and unable to pay.”
Residents who missed the GV2022 objection period but can show through sales in the area that the property valuation determined by the City is not a fair reflection of the valuation of their property as at 1 July 2022, may request for the property to be placed on the revaluation register for consideration by the municipal valuer and possibly revalued in a supplementary valuation.
An email can be sent to valuations@capetown.gov.za for more information on the revaluation register process.
For more information on valuations and electricity tariffs visit www.capetown.gov.za/Family and home/Residential-property-and-houses/property-valuations/general-and-supplementary-valuations.
