SAPOA’s legal challenge against the 2025/26 Budget adopted by the City of Cape Town was heard in the Western Cape High Court from Tuesday 2 December to Thursday 4 December 2025.
In a significant ruling by the High Court of South Africa (Gauteng Division), the City of Johannesburg sought to overturn a Valuation Appeal Board decision regarding the categorisation of 24 residential units located in Melrose Square on Oaks. On 9 December 2021, the Appeal Board determined that these units should be categorised as “sectional title residential” with effect from 1 July 2013. This differed from the City’s prior categorisation of the units as “sectional title business”.
Property Rates on Second and Further Residential Properties Owned by the Same Entity
Section 17(1)(h) of the Municipal Property Rates Act 6 of 2004 (MPRA) provides that no rates may be levied on the first R15 000 of the market value of properties categorised as “Residential Properties”. This exclusion applies to all residential properties in South Africa.
At Rates Watch, we are always looking for ways to contribute meaningfully to the growth of South Africa’s valuation profession. That is why we were proud to support the academic journey of Thembi Jezile, who recently completed her BCom Honours in Valuation and Management at the University of Johannesburg — and who has now officially qualified as a professional valuer after passing her board exam in March.
Rates Watch continues to make progress with appeals across multiple municipalities, with several appeal outcomes now concluded and others still awaiting review. Here’s a snapshot of the latest developments across key metros.
Behind the ombudsman’s impressive performance figures lies a crippling crisis: too few investigators, too many billing errors and a city administration in freefall.
The 2025/26 Budget adopted by the City of Cape Town in 26 June 2025 has, since publication of its first draft in March 2025, elicited a substantial public response, most of which was severely critical of the budget.
The City of Johannesburg has urged property owners to pay their municipal bills ahead of the festive season to avoid spending their holidays without essential
services such as water and electricity.
There is little comfort for the owners of smallholdings in Tshwane whose property taxes have quadrupled after being reclassified as residential by the metro council
The city is giving you a chance to clear your municipal debt.
In a landmark decision, the Constitutional Court confirmed that municipalities cannot levy excessive or arbitrary property rates.
In November 2024, the Supreme Court of Appeal (court) set a precedent for Valuation Appeal Boards (VABs) in South Africa, reaffirming the importance of providing clear and reasoned decisions.
The purpose of this newsletter is to bring to your notice a few important industry related matters.
In crumbling Johannesburg, community associations, piece by piece, are helping to save the city from its own downward spiral.
Civil society asks if former incumbent Floyd Brink is as good as it gets for the troubled Johannesburg City Council.
