Our Services
1.
Municipal Accounts
We assist clients with the opening, closing and administration of municipal refunds, ensuring that the correct processes are followed and that all required documentation is submitted to the municipality.
Opening Municipal Accounts
We facilitate the opening of municipal accounts for property owners, including completing and submitting the required applications and ensuring that the necessary municipal deposits are obtained.
Our services include:
- Preparing and submitting the municipal account application
- Ensuring deposits are paid where required
- Liaising with the municipality until the account and statement are issued
Fee: R2 300 (excluding municipal deposits)
Closing Municipal Accounts and Refunds
We assist property owners with the closing of municipal accounts and the recovery of any refunds that may be due. Our team manages the submission process and follows up consistently with the municipality until the account is finalised and any outstanding refunds are processed.
Our services include:
- Submitting the municipal account closure request
- Monitoring the account reconciliation process
- Following up with the municipality until refunds are processed
- Providing ongoing updates throughout the process
Estimated timeline: Municipal processes can take up to 18 to 24 months, depending on municipal processing times and workloads.
2.
Municipal Valuation Objections
We assist property owners in lodging formal objections against municipal property valuations where the valuation appears incorrect or inflated. Our team prepares and submits the necessary objection documentation and provides guidance on the information required to support the objection.
Our services include:
- Reviewing the municipal valuation
- Preparing and submitting the valuation objection
- Advising clients on supporting documentation
- Liaising with the municipality and providing progress updates
Estimated timeline: Approximately up to 3 to 6 months, depending on municipal review periods and workloads.
3.
Property Plans
We assist clients with obtaining and submitting property plans required for various municipal and property related matters.
Our services include:
- Obtaining approved property plans
- Submitting applications for new property plans
- Liaising with the municipality regarding property plan approvals
These services are often required for property transfers, renovations, compliance matters or development applications.
4.
Rezoning and Consent Use
Rates Solutions assists property owners and businesses with municipal applications related to property zoning rights and consent uses and assisting clients with sourcing the right town planners.
Rezoning Applications
We assist with applications to change the zoning rights of a property where required for development or business use.
Examples include rezoning to:
- Business 1
- Business 2
- Business 3
- Other permitted zoning categories
Consent Use Applications
Consent use allows certain activities to operate from a property without permanently changing its zoning.
We assist with applications for:
- Operating a business from a residential property
- Approval for signage or billboards
- Additional parking bays
- Other permitted municipal uses
Our team manages the submission process and advises clients on the requirements, documentation and municipal costs involved
OUR PROCESS
CONSULTATION
We review your municipal matter and advise on the required process.
SUBMISSION
Our team prepares and submits the necessary applications.
FOLLOW-UP
We liaise with the municipality and monitor progress.
RESOLUTION
We keep you informed until the matter is finalised.
