Tag: change-of-address (rates)

Rates FAQs

Have you recently purchased a property in the City of Joondalup?

Here is some information about the settlement process in relation to your rates:

  • The owner or settlement agent must advise the City in writing of the sale of the property within 21 days of it selling
  • Under normal circumstances, the settlement agent for the purchaser will have already forwarded a “Change of Ownership” form to Rating Services, which advises the City the property has been sold. This form lists the vendor’s name, purchaser’s name and address and the change of ownership date
  • The City sends a rates statement to both settlement agents advising of the rates raised and any outstanding balance
  • Settlement agents usually deal with all financial transactions, which include the payment of Local Government rates, water rates, land tax etc
  • Funds from both the vendor and purchaser are usually held at settlement for payment of these accounts
  • The settlement agent will calculate, prior to settlement (on a daily basis), the portion of rates owed by both the vendor and the purchaser.

How are my rates calculated?

  • Rates are calculated by multiplying the Gross Rental Value (GRV) or Unimproved Value (UV) by the rate in the dollar
  • For improved properties the GRV is an annual rental value determined by the Valuer General
  • For vacant land, where no rental value can be determined, the GRV is calculated on the basis of 3% of its capital (or resale value), for residential properties and 5% for commercial and industrial properties.

What is a GRV?

  • The Gross Rental Value (GRV) is an annual rental value determined by the Valuer General
  • It is calculated by analysing actual rental information assembled from statistics obtained from property managers, owners and other sources. This means that properties are rated on their income earning potential rather than their resale value
  • Every three years the Valuer General is required to reassess the Gross Rental Values (GRV’s) within the metropolitan area.
  • The 2023/24 year is a revaluation year and therefore the 2023/24 rates will be based on the new Gross Rental Value (GRV)

What factors affect my GRV?

  • Many variables affect the GRV of a property such as location, the number of bedrooms and bathrooms a property has, if the property has a pool and the age of the house.

What can I do if I disagree with the GRV for my property?

  • A property owner may lodge an objection against the valuation of a property within 60 days of the date of issue of a rates notice.
  • For information on how your values are calculated and how to lodge an objection, please visit Landgate’s website landgate.wa.gov.au/valuations, or alternatively call Landgate Customer Service on 9273 7373.

Rates assessments are required to be paid by the due date, irrespective of whether an objection has been lodged. Any reduction in rates as a result of a successful objection will be allocated to any balance outstanding or refunded.

What is a minimum payment?

  • If the calculation of GRV x rate in dollar is less than the minimum payment, then the minimum payment will be applied which is set in recognition that every property receives some minimum level of benefit from works, services and facilities provided
  • A local government is able to set a minimum amount payable for properties in its district, and most local governments apply a minimum payment
  • The minimum payment for 2023/24 is $873.00 for Residential Improved properties and $954.00 for Residential Vacant, Commercial and Industrial properties

How is the instalment charge calculated?

  • The City offers payments by instalments, which attracts a fee called an instalment charge (or cost of option)
  • The instalment charge is based on an administration charge of $12.00 for each instalment notice issued

Under what authority does the City charge late payment interest?

  • The City charges penalty interest of 3% per annum for rates and charges, and 11% per annum for the Emergency Services Levy on outstanding rates not being paid in instalments or on amounts which remain unpaid after the due date of the instalment until the instalment is paid.
  • The Local Government (Financial Management) Regulations 1996 allows the City to charge penalty interest.

What if I cannot pay my rates either in full or according to the instalment program offered?

  • The City offers special payment arrangements (by direct debit from a bank account) for those customers who are unable to pay in full or according to the instalment plan
  • An administration fee of $34.00 is charged on each special payment arrangement, and penalty interest of 3% per annum for rates and charges, and 11% per annum for the Emergency Services Levy will also apply on the outstanding balance until the account is cleared
  • If you are unable to make a special arrangement via Direct Debit, a manual arrangement can be requested by completing the manual payment arrangement form. However, if the conditions of the arrangement are not adhered to, the arrangement will be cancelled and the full amount will become due and payable including any accrued penalty interest

What is a Refuse charge and why do I pay it?

  • The annual refuse charge funds the weekly emptying of the 140L red bin, the emptying of the fortnightly green waste and recycling bin and the bulk verge collection at your property. The refuse charge for 2023/24 is $360.00. The administration fee for a new rubbish bin is $164.00. For further information please call 9400 4000.

What is a Specified Area Rate (SAR) and who pays it?

  • Specified Area Rates apply in designated areas within the City
  • Owners in Iluka, Woodvale Waters Woodvale, new Burns Beach and Harbour Rise Estate Hillarys pay a special rate to cover the costs of additional landscaping services
  • This is charged at a separate rate in the dollar and is listed as an additional item on the rate notice
  • The same GRV used for calculating rates is applied to this rate in the dollar to calculate the specified area rate payable
  • The City is required to use the money from specified area rates for the purpose for which the rate is imposed and in the financial year in which it is imposed

Rates in the dollar for specified area rates for the 2023/24 year are:

  • Burns Beach – 0.37921c
  • Iluka – 0.59316c
  • Harbour Rise – 0.66266c
  • Woodvale Waters – 0.65700c

What happens to my rates if I build a new house, an addition or a pool?

When there are changes to your property that affect its valuation, the City receives advice of the new valuation and an effective date for that valuation from the Valuer General. It then issues an amended rate notice, called an interim rate notice.

Examples of where your valuation would be amended include:

  • A new building has been built
  • A pool has been installed
  • A new room has been added
  • A property has been demolished.

The City usually receives the interim valuations from the Valuer General within three to five months of the completion of the addition.

How do I change my address details?

Property owners have an obligation to ensure the City has the correct address for the service of notices.

This can be done by any of the methods shown below:

Pensioners and Seniors FAQs

If you have a valid concession card you could qualify for a rebate or a deferment on paying your rates. To qualify, ratepayers must meet all the following criteria:

  • You must be the owner and occupier of the property at Saturday 1 July 2023 and
  • You must hold a valid Pensioner Concession Card, State Concession Card, WA Seniors Card, or both a WA Seniors Card and Commonwealth Seniors Health Card.

Ratepayers meeting the above criteria must pay their portion of the general rates (including Specified Area Rate), Emergency Services Levy, all arrears and service charges by Sunday 30 June 2024. It is not possible to get an extension to pay the rebate amount after Sunday 30 June 2024.

How do I apply for a pensioner/ senior rebate?

  • Complete an application online and the Water Corporation will then forward a copy of your completed application to the City
  • Contact the Water Corporation on 1300 659 951 to complete a phone application. The Water Corporation will then forward a copy of your completed application to the City.

The concession will apply from the date your application is received by the Water Corporation.

What happens if I receive a Seniors Card or a Pensioner Concession Card during the financial year?

Partial concessions are available to pensioners and seniors who become eligible during the financial year. The partial concession will apply from the date your application is received by the Water Corporation.

Do I get a pensioner/senior rebate on the Emergency Services Levy?

Seniors and pensioners who qualify for a rebate for their general rates will receive the same percentage rebate on the Emergency Services Levy. Pensioners who are eligible to defer their general rates may also defer their Emergency Services Levy.

Is there a maximum rebate amount for pensioners/seniors?

Pensioners who meet the eligibility criteria are entitled to claim a rebate of up to 50% of the current year’s general rates (including Specified Area Rate), capped to a maximum amount which is reviewed annually by the State Government. The maximum amount for the 2023/24 financial year is $750.00. There is no maximum capped amount for the pensioners rebate for the Emergency Services Levy.

Seniors who meet the eligibility criteria are entitled to claim a rebate of up to 25% of the current years general rates (including Specified Area Rate), capped to a maximum amount of $100.00 for the 2023/24 financial year. There is no maximum or capped amount for the seniors rebate for the Emergency Services Levy.

What are my payment options?

1. Claim your rebate

You will need to pay your portion of the general rates, Specified Area Rate (if any), Emergency Services Levy, all arrears and service charges in full by Sunday 30 June 2024, in order to receive your rebate which the City will claim from the State Government on your behalf.

There is no pensioner rebate on the Refuse Charge (including any fee for Additional 240L Refuse Bin) and Pool Inspection Fee and they must be paid on or before 1 September 2023.

2. Defer the general rates and Emergency Services Levy on your property

  • The Refuse Charge (including any fee for Additional 240L Refuse Bin) and Pool Inspection Fee must be paid on or before Friday 1 September 2023 and cannot be deferred
  • The deferral option is not available for life tenants, seniors or pensioners entitled to a rebate of less than 50%
  • If you are eligible and choose to defer your rates, the full rates amount and Emergency Services Levy will be deferred and remain as a charge on your property until it is sold, or you move from the property. No interest will apply to the deferred amount

What happens if my circumstances change or I no longer receive a pension?

If any of your circumstances change, such as your concession card type, your pension type, you change address, or you are no longer eligible, you must notify the City immediately on 9400 4000.

Who determines the rulings for pensioners and seniors?

The Office of State Revenue determines all rules in relation to the rebates and deferments for pensioners and seniors. The City administers the rules regarding pensioner/seniors rebates and deferment of rates.

For further information on Pensioner and Senior Concessions contact the City on 9400 4000.

 

Change of address form

Please complete this online form to notify the City of Joondalup of changes to your mailing address.

If your change of address applies to your City of Joondalup Leisure Centres membership, please contact the Leisure Centres.

Change of address detail