City Council redesigns rates invoices

New rates invoices have been designed by the Christchurch City Council to fulfil legal requirements of the Local Government (Rating) Act 2002, which become effective on 1 July, 2003 - impacting on property owners nationally.

Some rating changes became law on that date, and their effect on ratepayers will be explained in detail in a pamphlet to be sent out with the new rates bills in July as part of the first instalment.

The biggest change in rates relates to who is responsible for paying rates and how properties are rated.

The payment of rates has shifted from the occupier of the property to the owner of the property, e.g. the owner of a block of shops will now receive the rate account for the entire property rather than the individual tenants.

Depicted in the pamphlet is a sample of the new invoice, complete with arrows to help explain every detail on the bill.

The newly designed rates invoice includes rates for both the Christchurch City Council and the Canterbury Regional Council (ECan), as it has in the past. This avoids unnecessary duplication in collection costs of about $1.5m for Christchurch ratepayers.

The fresh format also aims for clearer breakdown of rating liability between the City Council and ECan. Instalment one will be calculated as 25% of last year’s annual rates with instalment two, to be issued in October, reflecting the new rates payable for 2003/2004.

For more details ring the Rates Hotline (03) 941-8423, email ratesinfo@ccc.govt.nz or visit website http://www.ratesinfo.ccc.govt.nz

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