Meter tampering, the sneaky art of tweaking utility meters to bend the rules, is a serious criminal offence that the City of Johannesburg Metropolitan Municipality doesn’t take lightly. But what happens when things go wrong and the customer is wrongly accused of having tampered?
Johannesburg’s residents know all too well how much their city has been looted and neglected. They also know how to fix it, and a new mayor must work with them to bring it back from the brink.
South Africa’s office vacancy rate improved once again to 14.2% at the end of the second quarter of 2024
The International Property Institute is th world’s Leading Organization On Property Tax Policy And Practice
Newly appointed Cooperative Governance Minister Velenkosini Hlabisa has vowed to crack the whip on underperforming municipalities.
South Africa’s office vacancy rate improved once again to 14.2% at the end of the second quarter of 2024
As we move into the second half of 2024, President Ramaphosa has finalised the cabinet for the new Government of National Unity. We echo the gratitude of many South Africans that the national elections themselves went smoothly.
Although the 3,8% increase in property rates seems to be fair, it is from a high base. When the new valuation roll was implemented in July 2023, instead of lower property rates tariffs it was increased by 2%.
The average property price has increased by over 833% since South Africa became a democracy, significantly outpacing inflation over the same period.
The importance of informing owners of new valuations was confirmed in two recent cases.
A decision of a valuation appeal board is functus officio, meaning that a decision taken by a board is valid until it is reviewed by a higher authority.
We have compiled a convenient table of 2024/2025 tariff increases for property rates, electricity, water, sanitation, and refuse.
Rates Watch has lodged a significant number of appeals in many municipalities across South Africa. Our latest update looks at those appeals that are still outstanding in each major metro.
Households in the urban areas of South Africa are expected to pay for services like electricity, water, and effluent (or sewerage). These services can be paid for through accounts with municipalities or in some cases, with service providers like Eskom.
The year got off to a busy start and it’s hard to believe the first quarter is already over. A highlight on our company calendar has been the celebration of our 15th year in business.
