Christchurch Earthquake - Rates Payment Grace Period

Christchurch City Council is to give a month's grace to residents due to pay their rates by next week.

The rating area, which includes many of the most badly affected properties in this week's earthquake, will have received their invoices approximately three weeks ago and are due to pay their bills by the 15th September.

However the council is extending the due date for these people to 15th October. It is also considering what other rates relief the council may offer to property owners who are the most badly affected by the quake.

"We can understand that those who haven't already made arrangements to pay, but who have been suffering during the last few days, do not want the added stress of thinking they have to get their council rates paid over the next week. We are also going to be giving some thought to other measures we could take to assist with rates, for the worst cases," said a spokesman.

ENDS

© Scoop Media