In an ongoing bid to alleviate residents’ financial burdens, the City of Cape Town offers various assistance packages for specific categories of property owners, including special property rates rebates for qualifying pensioners and households eligible for indigent support.
Our Western Cape-based property law specialists, however, still find that many pensioners – and indigent households – have not yet taken advantage of the City’s support plans. Here’s a helpful breakdown of these financial assistance packages and how you or someone you may know can apply.
Pensioners
Property owners aged 60 or older who are dependent on a pension or social grant, and whose monthly household income falls between R7 501.00 and R22 000.00, may qualify for a 10-100% municipal rates rebate.
Unfortunately, the rebate is not applied automatically, and applications can be made by downloading and completing an application form.
Applicants should email their completed forms to rates.rebate@capetown.gov.za or hand-deliver them to their nearest municipal office or civic centre. The form, which is available in English, isiXhosa, and Afrikaans, must be accompanied by various supporting documentation, including a copy of the applicant’s ID and proof of address.
Once approved, pensioners must reapply every three years and settle any amount that may be owing to the municipality pre-renewal. The turnaround time for approval is approximately 30 days after submission.
Indigent households
If a household’s total monthly income does not exceed R7 500.00, it will qualify for indigent support. At present, this arrangement includes the benefit of a 100% rebate in respect of property rates and refuse removal upon successful application.
Additionally, qualifying households are encouraged to apply for the free provision of no more than 15kl of water and 10.5kl of sewerage disposal. Persons in residential properties valued at R450 000.00 or less will qualify for this benefit, too.
To benefit from the City’s programme, property owners are required to submit an application form, which is also available at all walk-in centres. The form must be completed and submitted to indigent.relief@capetown.gov.za, along with various supporting documentation, including a copy of the applicant’s ID and three months’ bank statements.
If the owner is employed, they’ll need to submit a copy of their latest payslip, alternatively a letter from their employer specifying their monthly income. Conversely, unemployed applicants are required to submit a sworn affidavit confirming that they are unemployed and have no other source of income.
Once registered, qualifying property owners are required to re-apply every 12 months from date of approval.
We encourage all eligible property owners to take advantage of the City’s support packages. For further information or to consult with a property law specialist, contact us at info@stbb.co.za today.
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