Rates are calculated by multiplying a property’s valuation by the rate in the dollar set by Council. The valuation for each property is determined by the Valuer General and is either a Gross Rental Value (GRV) or Unimproved Value (UV).
Gross Rental Value (GRV) is the fair annual rental value of your property and is an estimate of how much you could expect to receive if you were to rent your property. Where the property is vacant land, an equivalent GRV, based on 3% of the property value, is used.
For properties situated in the City of Kalamunda, the Unimproved Value (UV) is the site value of the land. In general, this means the value of the land as if it were vacant with no improvements except for merged improvements. Merged improvements relate to improvements such as clearing, draining and filling.
For Example: Gross Rental Value = $16,500 Rate in the Dollar = .069352 cents (GRV – General) Annual Rates amount = $16,500 x .069352 =$1,144.30 (Minimum rates may apply)
Unimproved Value = $375,000 Rate in the Dollar = 0.003459 cents (UV – General) Annual Rates amount = $375,000 x 0.003459 = $1,297.13(Minimum rates may apply)
What is a Council rates freeze?
Gross Rental Valuations = decrease of 13.1%Every three years, all properties within the metropolitan area are assessed at the same date, by valuers at Landgate to ensure a fair and equitable assessment. The data collected is used to calculate the Gross Rental Value (GRV) of each property.
Every three years, all properties within the metropolitan area are assessed at the same date, by valuers at Landgate to ensure a fair and equitable assessment. The data collected is used to calculate the Gross Rental Value (GRV) of each property.
2020/21 saw the triennial revaluation of Gross Rental Valuations, the City along with other Local Governments requested that this be deferred, however this was unsuccessful.
The result was an average decrease in rental values of 13% for the Perth Metropolitan Area.
Not every individual property performed the same as the average indicated above and as a result not all properties will have the same rates as calculated for 2019/2020.
For example:What this means is:
Notwithstanding the changes in GRV, all minimum rates remain unchanged.
The overall rates revenue freeze adopted by many Councils in response to COVID-19 is about not increasing the total amount of rates received by Local Governments. The intent of the overall rates revenue freeze was to help provide ratepayers with financial certainty – in effect one less surprise in what is a difficult time for many. However, the periodic system of revaluations of properties undertaken by the Valuer General will result in some ratepayers paying more and some less than last year – while the revenue to Local Governments remains unchanged.
To achieve a zero increase in Rate revenue, the rate in the dollar was amended accordingly.
GRV, based on 3% of the property value, is used.
The Triennial Revaluation that has occurred across the Perth metropolitan area has resulted in the following rate in the dollar changes:
For example: A residential property that has the following:
Gross Rental Value = $16,500 Rate in the Dollar = 0.069352 (GRV – General) Annual Rates amount = $16,500 x 0.069352 = $1,144.30 (Minimum rates may apply)
Unimproved Value = $375,000 Rate in the Dollar = 0.003459 (UV – General) Annual Rates amount = $375,000 x 0.003459 = $1,297.13 (Minimum rates may apply)
You can apply for a payment arrangement by direct debit.
If you have a current Smarter Way to Pay agreement with the City this will continue as normal.
If you wish to make a new a payment arrangement, please contact the City’s rates department.
The City recognises that some ratepayers may be experiencing significant financial hardship as a result of COVID-19 and has adopted a Financial Hardship Policy and a COVID-19 Relief Policy for ratepayers affected. Details are available here.
The City is encouraging ratepayers who can continue to make payments on the 2020/2021 rates by the due dates to do so, to avoid creating more financial stress.
If you feel that the valuation applied to your property is incorrect, you can lodge an objection with Landgate’s Valuer General’s Office, within 60 days of the issue of your rates notice.
For more information, please contact the Valuer General’s Office on (08) 9273 7373.
All property owners in Western Australia contribute to fire and emergency services through the Emergency Services Levy (ESL).
Local Governments collect the levy on behalf of the Department of Fire and Emergency Services (DFES). All funds collected are forwarded directly to DFES, who then redistribute the money to emergency services throughout the State.
www.dfes.wa.gov.www.dfes.wa.gov.au/au/
Landgate has further information on the valuations for rating and taxing on their website: www.www.landgate.wa.gov.au/.wa.gov.au/
As this would not fit on the bottom of the notice, the change was made. This change has also reduced costs in the printing space.
If you are registered with Council (and approved) for a full Pensioner concession you will also receive a discount for the first Refuse Bin and this will be capped at $230.00. Therefore, the cost of the bin will be $320.00.
Different refuse charges apply for commercial and industrial categories.
If you order a Refuse and Recycle service during the year, you will be charged at a pro-rata charge from the date that the bin is ordered.
The waste collection charge includes the collection and disposal of:
Eligibility Criteria – to be eligible for a concession under the Rates and Charges (Rebates and Deferments Act) 1992:
Card, or to hold a current Seniors Card issued by the Office of Seniors Interests and a current Commonwealth Senior’s Health Care Card; or
A pro-rata rebate may be available from the date of registration for eligible registered Pensioners and Seniors who become eligible after 1 July of the current rating year.
If your circumstances change, particularly with respect to your ownership or occupancy of the property, or your eligibility as a Pensioner or Senior, you must notify the City or the Water Corporation. Your registration will be cancelled or amended as appropriate.
Register Concessions: Ratepayers can now register for their concession on the internet via watercorporation.com.au or apply over the phone to the Water Corporation on 1300 659 951. Concessions only apply once your application is received and registered.
The portion of the Rates and Charges for Concession card holders are due and payable as per any other Ratepayer either in full or by instalment by the due date shown on the rate notice, or by payment arrangement suitable to the City. If not paid by close of business 30 June 2021 the rebate is forfeited.
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