Johannesburg property owners received more than R2.7 billion worth of rebates from the City
The City of Johannesburg has given back more than R2.7 billion worth of property rebates to property owners during the last financial year, which provided much needed financial relief.
The City’s massive rebates provided relief to thousands of households, pensioners, indigents, education sector and high-density residential developments amongst others during the 2024/2025 financial year, which began last July and ending in June this year.
Residential property owners received the most rebates, with a staggering R2.2 billion followed by pensioners who own residential properties receiving a whopping R291.9 million. Residential property owners automatically receive the R300 000 threshold rebate without even knowing it. This is because the City applies this rebate to all residential properties and there is no need to apply. However, for owners with multiple residential properties, only one property with the highest value – will qualify for this rebate.
The City gives different forms of property rebates to property owners. Many financially squeezed property owners have taken advantage of the rebates the City offers.
According to Kgamanyane Maphologela, Director for Communications and Stakeholder Engagement within Group Finance Department, the Municipal Property Rates Act No 6 of 2004 (MPRA), allows the municipality to provide property exemptions or rebates to qualifying property owners. These could include categories such as pensioners or individuals, who have limited income or are unable to pay their municipal property rates based on their financial circumstances at the time.
“Through various rebates, the City continues to respond to financial difficulties facing property owners by providing the much-needed buffer and relief through property rebates,” says Maphologela.
Other categories of property owners who received rebates relief also include:
- Education properties: R199.6 million
- Housing Development Schemes for retired persons (Old Age Homes): R9.5 million
- Vacant Land: R2.9 million
- Expanded Social Package (ESP): R1.9 million
- Registered Social Landlords: R1.5 million
- Heritage property rebates: R731,518.75
- High density rebate: R669,927.25
- Industrial: R6,957.80
The City encourages more property owners to take advantage of the City’s property rebates and submit their applications.
Maphologela says the City offers a wide range of property rebates to qualifying property owners. These rebates include pensioners rebates, owners who are dependent on pensions due to injury on duty, Expanded Social Package grant, child-headed households, heritage properties, high density properties, property owned by private sports clubs, protection of animals, disaster areas, vacant land, housing development scheme for retired persons (life rights), registered social landlords, township industrial development rebate, corridors of freedom.
How to apply:
Property owners can access the application forms through the following channels:
- Email to request forms at: ratescomments@joburg.org.za
- At any City’s Customer Service Centre (walk-in-centre)
- City’s website: www.joburg.org.za under City Services and Rebates sections.
Maphologela warns that the rebate applications will only be processed if the account is not in arrears, unless there is a payment arrangement or dispute in place. Should the customer default on a payment arrangement plan, the City reserves the right to withdraw the rebate.