Municipal rates are only part of escalating bills, homeowners say

The City’s rate-in-rand refers to the formula used to calculate property rates, which it claims is the lowest in South Africa across all rate categories. The Cape Town Collective Ratepayers’ Association (CTCRA) has raised significant concerns regarding the City of Cape Town’s General Valuation 2025 (GV2025). They report that many homeowners have experienced valuation increases ranging from 25% to 140%.

In response, the City has proposed a 10.2% reduction in the property rates formula following the GV2025, but homeowners remain apprehensive about the implications of these changes. The General Valuation Roll (GVR) is a document containing the municipal valuations of all the registered properties within the boundaries of the City of Cape Town (CoCT) and is used to calculate the rates that property owners are required to pay. The City said it subjects the GVR to extensive data verification and statistical accuracy checks, as well as an extensive external assurance or audit review. Last week, the City announced it will propose a 10,2% lowering of the rate-in-rand for residential properties following the GV2025.