About General Valuation

Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality is conducting a General Valuation of all properties in the municipal area. This valuation is being done in terms of the Municipal Property Rates Act of 2004.

Property rates are paid monthly by every property owner in a municipal area. The rates we pay are calculated on the value of each property. It is vital that every property owner pays for rates as the money is used by the Municipality for development, delivery of services and for the maintenance of local roads and infrastructure. The income from rates is used for the benefit of of everyone in our communities, rich and poor alike. To make up for the changes in property values, National government in 2005 passed a law which requires all municipalities to carry out a General Valuation of all properties in every municipal area every four years. The new valuation roll for all municipalities must be implemented by 2009.

What is the Municipal Property Rates Act?
This Act stipulates that all properties need to be valued at least every four years to take into account changes in the market value of properties. This is to make sure that the Valuation Roll stays up to date and that property rates are levied transparently and fairly. The Municipal Property Rates Act replaces the old system of property valuation and rating based on the old Provincial Ordinances.

What exactly are municipal property rates?
They are a form of tax paid by property owners to their municipality. Rates are billed monthly with ones lights and water account, but owners can apply to pay their rates as a lump sum annually. For more information on how municipal property rates are determined or how the market value of a property is set, please feel free to contact our Information Center on 043-7220240 or e-mail us at info@valueMe.co.za

What is the money from municipal property rates used for?
Property rates are the most important source of general revenue for municipalities, especially in developed areas. The money is used to fund services that benefit the community as a whole, such as installing and maintaining roads, sidewalks, street lighting and storm drains. It is also used to build build and operate clinics, parks, recreational facilities and cemeteries. The money also funds municipal administration, such as computer equipment and stationery, and costs of governance, such as council and community meetings.

Municipal rates are set, collected and used locally, so your rates are used to benefit the community.

Who has to pay municipal property rates?
Everyone who owns immovable property (land and buildings) has to pay rates. This includes commercial and residential property as well as land used for agriculture. Even government and public service infrastructure is rateable.

What about property owned by sectional title?
Your sectional title unit will also need to be valued and it is important that data collectors be allowed access to the unit and any outbuildings such as the garage and storeroom. The Municipality needs to register unit owners in sectional title schemes as they will no longer be able to rate the body corporate. It is only by gathering accurate information regarding your sectional title unit that the City will be able to determine its correct market value and levy rates in a fair manner.

What about non-residential property?
Properties such as business premises, factories, sports facilities and schools will also be visited by data collectors or property valuers to gather information to determine the market value for the Valuation Roll.

Who will visit the property?
Between February and December 2008, data collectors and/or valuers visit properties between 08h00 and 18h00 from Monday to Friday and up to 13h00 on a Saturday. They are issued with clearly identifiable bibs and carry laminated cards with their names and photographs. If you wish to verify the identity of the person calling on you, contact our Information Center or view our online photo gallery.

What will data collectors and valuers do?
They will collect detailed information to help establish the market value of your property, such as:

The area of the buildings
The type of construction, quality and condition of the house or building
Where the house is located e.g. on a busy road
The type of view
The number of bedrooms, living areas and bathrooms
Whether there is a swimming pool, granny flat, grage or garden
Whether the property is used for business or residential purposes

What if I'm not at home?
If there is nobody at home when the data collectors visit, they leave a card advising you that they have been there and request that you contact them to reschedule their visit. It is important that the data collectors gain access to the buildings on your property, so please make an effort to arrange a convenient time as soon as possible. If data collectors are not able to gain access to your home, the final value of your property will be based on available information.

What if I'm not the owner?
If you rent or occupy premises, you will still need to allow valuers access to the premises during the predetermined times. Tenants and other occupants have the same duties as home owners when it comes to allowing access to the buildings on the properties.

For more information
Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality has established a General Valuation Information Center to help ratepayers and members of the public who have questions regarding the valuation of properties.

For General Valuation queries, please contact us by:
info@valueMe.co.za
Tel: 043-7220240
Fax: 043-7220242
Postal: Private Bag X 9077, East London, 5200
Physical: 1st Floor, Eagle House, 58 Terminus Street, East London, 5201

Our Information Center can be contacted between 08h00 and 18h00 from Monday to Friday. Our Information Center staff are able to assist with queries in English, Afrikaans and isiXhosa. The Information Center is also available on Saturdays between 08h00 and 13h00. Thank you for your patience and co-operation during the data collection exercise.

Buffalo City, Get Valued !