Struggling to pay rates? Check out rebate

If you’re struggling to pay your rates, check whether you’re eligible for a rates rebate.

Jenny Pearce of Citizens Advice Bureau (CAB) Napier wants to remind low income homeowners to apply for a rates rebate.

The rates rebate is a subsidy of up to $640, so it is well worth checking whether you are eligible.

Apart from having a low income, you need to be paying the rates on the home you live in.

That means you can’t get a rates rebate on a home you are renting out. Also your name has to be on the Certificate of Title as the ratepayer.

There is an easy online calculator you can use on the govt.nz website that will tell you whether you are eligible and also how much of a subsidy you can get.

If you can’t get online, give us a call and we can help you with that.

If you’re eligible, you need to apply for the subsidy every year from your local council, after you receive your annual rates bill and before June 30.

The council needs to know what your income and rates were for the period July 1 last year through to June 30 this year.

You can download an application form from the govt. nz website or ask for a printed form from your local council office.

Your application does need to be witnessed by an authorised person, but if you are having issues with this — for example because of Covid-19 — contact us at CAB Napier and we will give you details of a JP in your area or contact your local council for advice on how to proceed.

You do need to be aware that if your home is in a family trust, or your name is not on the rates bill, then you will need to take an extra step of getting yourself registered as the ratepayer on the Certificate of Title.

You will probably need the help of a lawyer to do this.

If you’re not sure what to do, just give us a call or send us an email at napier@cab.org.nz.

You can also call the nationwide freephone 0800 367 222 or use the virtual chat.

We’re available at the CAB to help you through all Covid-19 alert levels.

‘The rates rebate is a subsidy of up to $640, so it is well worth checking whether you are eligible.’