Bitou Municipality Opens Public Participation for Property Valuation and Rates Assessment

The Bitou Municipality has commenced preparations for the General Valuation Roll for the period 2024-2029, seeking public engagement to ensure an equitable valuation of properties within its jurisdiction. This process is critical, as it directly impacts the rates that property owners will pay for the municipal services they receive.

In accordance with the Local Government: Municipal Property Rates Act of 2004, the valuation process aims to establish the market values of approximately 20,000 properties across residential, agricultural, business, and commercial categories. The outcomes of this process not only determine individual rates but also influence the overall fiscal resources available for the city.

To manage the mammoth task of valuing such a large number of properties, the municipality has enlisted the expertise of Qhawekazi Global (Pty) Ltd t/a Suid Kaap Waardeerders, a firm skilled in property assessments. This appointed service provider is tasked with conducting meticulous physical inspections to compile an accurate and comprehensive General Valuation Roll for public inspection.

Upon completion, property owners will have the opportunity to review their valuations and, if needed, file objections. An objection can be raised on any number of legitimate grounds such as incorrect allotment, category, physical address, or market value designation. As per the Municipal Property Rates Act, these objections will be reviewed, and if applicable, the property valuations will be adjusted accordingly.

Ratepayers must take heed of the criteria for valid and invalid objections to circumvent unnecessary disputes. It is crucial to understand that concerns such as the lack of services, the financial status of the property owner, rates perceived as excessive, or comparison to non-equivalent properties are non-valid reasons and will not be taken into consideration.

The process is expected to culminate in the implementation of the new General Valuation Roll by July 1, 2025. Ratepayers are thus encouraged to participate proactively in this public process to ensure fair and balanced valuation of their properties, contributing to the responsible management of Bitou Municipality’s financial resources for the benefit of all its residents.

The municipality's call for public participation represents a transparent and democratic approach to local governance, allowing stakeholders to voice their concerns and contribute to the fairness and accuracy of the community's property valuation system.