Rates Remission - Cases of Genuine Financial Hardship

This remission category enables Council to assist ratepayers experiencing extreme financial hardship which affects their ability to pay rates. Remission is available for residential properties and also properties owned or occupied by not for profit community organisations. Where an application for rates relief due to financial hardship is received, Council may remit all or part of rates relating to a rating unit.

A formal application is required for consideration, and this application should outline the reasons for which you are seeking a remission. The application will be investigated and the applicant will receive written response from council about the outcome. In the event whereby an applicant is not satisfied with the response, the applicant can request further review in writing and the application will be referred to Council for its consideration. The outcome will be notified within 10 working days of the decision being made.

For a full copy of the Rates Remission Policy Click Here  or contact our Customer Services Team on 0800 932 4357 or 07 878 0800.

Conditions and Criteria

Residential Rating Units 

• Preference will be given to rating units used solely for residential purposes (as defined by Council) when consideration is made for rates remission in cases of financial hardship. 

• A ratepayer making an application must be the registered owner and occupier of the property in respect of which rates relief is sought. 

• A ratepayer making an application must not own any other rating units or investment properties (whether in the district or in another district). 

• The ratepayer must supply sufficient evidence, including financial statements, to satisfy the Council that extreme financial hardship exists. 

• When considering an application, the ratepayer’s personal circumstances will be relevant such as age, physical or mental ability, injury, illness and family circumstances. 

• Before approving an application, Council must be satisfied that the ratepayer is unlikely to have sufficient funds left over, after making the payment of rates, for normal health care, proper provision for maintenance of his or her home and chattels at an adequate standard as well as making provision for normal day to day living expenses. 

• A ratepayer making an application must provide evidence on how they plan to meet their rating commitment going forward.

• If a ratepayer making an application is eligible for a rates rebate, then such application must be made at the time of applying for rates relief due to financial hardship.

Not for profit community organisations

• The organisation must supply sufficient evidence including financial statements to satisfy the Council that extreme financial hardship exists. 

• The organisation must provide sufficient evidence on how it plans to meet their rating commitment going forward. 

• An application for remission on the grounds of financial hardship must be lodged annually. The remission is only available for a maximum of two years. 

• Remission is not available for service charges relating to water, sewerage and solid waste collection.

Council will consider, on a case by case basis, applications received that meet the criteria detailed above. An approved remission will only apply to the rating year in which the application is made and applications will not be backdated.

Please Note: 

• Your Rates Remission Application must be in by 30 June. 

• Rates Remission Applications can only be made for the current rating year, remissions will not be back dated. 

• All Rates must be paid by the due date regardless of the status of your rates remission application.