Ratepayers revolt over valuations

Bay processing objections ‘too slowly’

RESIDENTS’ associations and homeowners are concerned about the slow pace at which the Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality has been processing objections to the metro’s new general property valuations.

The valuations – and a 9% rates hike – will come into effect on July 1 and the municipality has already processed 4 539 objections since the closing date on April 19.

However, municipal spokesman Mthubanzi Mniki could not provide any indication of how many were still to be processed, or even how many objections had been received.

Mark Bakker, chairman of the Port Elizabeth branch of the South African Property Owners’ Association (Sapoa), said: “Having spoken to a fairly representative sample of our members, it appears there are a sizeable number of objections that have been made to the new General Valuation Roll.

“The aspect concerning Sapoa’s members is that some of the objections lodged have not yet been acknowledged as having been received by the metro.

“And, where there has been acknowledgement of receipt, there has been no response from the metro as to when the objections will be dealt with.

“In some instances these objections are for values of a lot less than the new municipal valuation. This is concerning as the new valuations become effective on July 1 and, until the metro responds to the objections, owners are required to pay rates and taxes at the new valuation figure.”

One Humewood property owner, who did not want to be named, said she had objected as the rates for her threebedroom, two-bathroom sectional title flat would increase from R1 040 to around R2 300.

“My flat has been valued at R3.1-million [by the municipality] but lavish, full-title properties across the road . . . are valued at far less,” she said.

“The valuations are based on the July 2012 property market and we all know how the economy and the market were performing then. I would never get R3.1-million if I chose to sell.”

Barry Bradley, who owns an unoccupied smallholding on Old Seaview Road and has also objected, said he was shocked when his rates increased from R535 to R1 630 last year.

“When we contacted the municipality no one could explain the increase. Eventually we discovered the municipality had changed the category for my property from residential to vacant land. “My neighbour’s is rated agricultural and he only pays R110.

“I decided only to pay R750 per month because . . . I don’t see why I should pay that much for no services.”

Nelson Mandela Bay Ratepayers’ Association chairman Kobus Gerber said the association expected at least 25% of the metro’s 251 000 ratepayers to have objected to the new valuations.

“We received our fair share of people who said they would be objecting, but we are aware of some who have not yet received valuations.

“We are dealing with one case of an owner who is paying R7 000 a month for rates but there are nearly 2 000 illegal squatters on his land.

“Also, this land is not receiving any municipal services. We have applied for these people to be relocated but nothing has happened . . .

“During the last municipal valuation process there was a property boom but now prices are stagnant. Frustration is high at the moment, and we do not want ratepayers to get bullied.”

Frustrations are high at the moment, and we do not want ratepayers to get bullied