Recently, the Tshwane and Ekurhuleni municipalities published their General Valuation Rolls (‘GVRs’), which will determine municipal rates payable by property owners in respect of properties located within each municipal jurisdiction. Consequently, the need for property owners to carefully view the applicable GVR, and to object to inaccurate valuations, cannot be overstated.
Under the Local Government: Municipal Property Rates Act, municipalities are required to assess and value of properties in accordance with prescribed processes. A record of these revised property valuations is contained in a General Valuation Roll (‘GVR’), which is usually published every three to five years.
The re-valuation of property within a municipality’s boundaries directly impacts the levying of municipal rates, which increases in line with a higher property valuation. Undoubtedly, the income derived from rates is a key source of revenue for municipalities. In light of failing infrastructure and poor service delivery, municipal authorities tend to value properties above their true market value. It is thus imperative for property owners to view the applicable GVR and to object to over-valuations to prevent an unreasonable rates increase.
Additionally, it is vital that property owners review the category applicable to their property, which has a significant impact on rates, too. The City of Tshwane, for instance, categorises properties based on their use – not zoning. Typically, residential properties pay higher rates than those primarily used for agricultural purposes.
Gauteng property owners can access the Tshwane GVR and Ekurhuleni GVR online. Simply insert the property description, as reflected on your municipal account, to view your property’s valuation.
Those who disagree with the market value or categorisation published on the relevant GVR must lodge their objection by the specified closing date – or risk being billed for rates based on that valuation or categorisation from 1st July 2025 to 30th June 2029!
The objection period for properties located within the jurisdiction of Tshwane is 2nd May 2025 while Ekurhuleni property owners have until 25th June 2025 to formally raise their objections.
Notably, objections must be lodged by completing the form available on the municipality’s website, be suitably motivated, and supported by evidence, such as a property valuation report compiled by a local estate agent.
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