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Rate remissions

Rate remission and postponement policy and application forms

Gisborne District Council has policies which in specific cases may reduce or remit all or part of your rates. Read our policies for rating remissions and postponement.
The full criteria is explained in the Rate Remission and Postponement Policy

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Rates remissions

For homes red and yellow stickered

Rates remission for instalment 1 of 2023/24 rates for all FOSAL category 3 and red stickered properties from 2023 weather events. We will automatically write-off instalment 1 for those affected. Letters have been sent to the property owners.

Yellow stickered properties can apply for a rate remission on a case-by-case basis. Those affected property owners will receive a letter with their rates invoice.

This policy applies to land occupied by a not-for-profit organisation, which is used principally for sporting, recreation, or community purposes.

Policy objectives

To assist in the ongoing provision of not-for-profit community services and recreational opportunities that benefit the community.

To assist an organisation’s survival by making membership of the organisation more accessible to the community, particularly disadvantaged groups such as children, youth, young families, aged and economically disadvantaged people.

These objectives support the principle of removing financial barriers to enable the land to be used for community and / or recreational purposes in support of Tairāwhiti 2050 outcomes.

Remission period

Up to 3 years – subject to the conditions and criteria still being met.

Remission value

Up to 100% of rates, except for targeted rates for the following services supplied to the rating unit: wastewater (sewerage), waste management (rubbish collection and recycling), and water supply.

Conditions and criteria

The application must support the objectives of this policy.

The rating unit must be used exclusively or principally for sporting, recreation or community purposes.

The remission will be calculated on Council’s assessment of the degree to which community benefit is derived from the activities or assets of the organisation relative to other organisations.

This remission does not apply to organisations/groups whose primary purpose is to address the need of adult members (over 18 years) for entertainment or social interaction or engage in a recreational, sporting or community services as a secondary purpose.

Additional information for application

This information must accompany the application form:

  • Statement of organisation’s objectives.
  • Financial accounts.
  • Information on activities and programmes.
  • Details of membership or clients.
  • Any other information to support the conditions and criteria.

Remission will be considered for new and existing businesses to promote employment and economic development in the district.

Policy objective

To promote employment and economic development by offering rates remissions to encourage existing businesses to expand and grow, and new businesses to set up.

This objective supports the principle of removing financial barriers to development of land.

Remission period

Up to 3 years – subject to the conditions and criteria still being met.

Remission value

Up to 100% of rates.

General conditions and criteria

The application must support the objective of this policy and the matters that Council will consider in forming a view on any remission granted.
In Council’s view the development:

  • Is strategically important to the economic development of the district.
  • Creates significant and lasting new employment opportunities within the district.
  • Bring significant amount of new capital investment to the district and will add value to the local resources.
  • Has strong financial viability and would provide long-term benefits.
  • Does not adversely impact on existing businesses.

Additional information for application

This information must accompany the application:

  • Description and plan of the development.
  • An estimate of the costs of development and capital investment involved.
  • An estimate of the likely number and type of jobs created by the development.
  • Evidence that the jobs created will be new to the district.
  • Any other relevant information requested in order to establish that the development meets the conditions and criteria of this policy.

Remission for metered water where water usage is high due to a water leak or damage to a property’s internal water reticulation system.

Policy objective

To provide a rate relief to ratepayers in situations where water usage is high due to a water leak or damage to the property’s internal water reticulation system of which the ratepayer was unaware.

This objective supports the principle of financial affordability and encourages timely repair of the leak.

Remission period

On a case-by-case basis – subject to the conditions and criteria still being met.

Remission value

Up to the full amount of the difference between normal consumption and the actual water consumption for the billing period. By exception, a remission may be backdated to earlier billing periods.

Conditions and criteria

The application must support the objectives of this policy.

The excess water charges must be for an amount which is considerably in excess of the average water used in the previous four billing periods and take any seasonal variations into account.

The plumber’s report and repairs are to Council’s satisfaction.

A remission will not be provided if negligence is shown regarding timeliness of repair or maintenance of the system for example, multiple leaks.

A remission under this policy will only be granted once in any given rating year.

Additional information for application

This information must accompany the application:

  • A report from a registered plumber stating the cause of water loss is a result of a leak or damage to the ratepayer’s internal water reticulation system.
  • Proof of repairs to the internal reticulation system for verification.

We will consider remitting rates to assist ratepayers experiencing financial hardship and/or adversely impacted by a natural disaster or other calamity which directly affects the ability to pay rates.

Policy objective

To assist ratepayers experiencing financial hardship and/or adversely impacted by a natural disaster or other calamity which directly affects their ability to pay rates.

This objective supports the principle of financial affordability by providing relief from paying rates in exceptional circumstances. Exceptional circumstances could include community organisations ceasing operation and unpredictable event including natural disasters, pandemic, epidemic or other calamity that affect the ratepayer’s ability to pay rates.

Remission period

Current years rates only. See postponement policy for multi-year relief options.

Remission value

Up to 100% of rates and current penalties.

General conditions and criteria

The application must support the objectives of this policy.

Council must be satisfied that:
  • The ratepayer does not have financial capacity to pay their rates instalment when due; or
  • the payment of the rates instalment would create financial hardship for the ratepayer.

Specific criteria for financial hardship

To determine whether financial hardship exists, the ratepayer’s personal circumstances for both residential and non-residential applications, will be considered including age, physical or mental disability, injury, illness and family circumstances.

All residential applicants must receive advice from an approved budget advisory service.

All business and commercial applicants must receive advice from an accountant, lawyer or other independent and suitably qualified professional.

If the ratepayer owns other property or has a significant financial interest in a business, information on the financial circumstances of the business may be required to assist in assessing financial hardship.

Specific criteria for exceptional circumstances

The land has become unusable or uneconomic because of exceptional circumstances such as severe erosion, land formation changes such as slips, any natural disaster or calamity.

The ownership of the land has become indeterminate or uneconomic, such as a club becoming defunct.

Additional information for application

This information must accompany the application:

  • For individuals
    Budget sheet completed by an approved budget or financial advisor.
  • For businesses
    a. Statement of assets and liabilities.
    b. Current balance sheet.
    c. Forecast cash flow statement for the following 12 months.

Where coastal land has a valuation in excess of its economic use such as the land is valued based on its coastal value, but is used for grazing purposes, you can apply to have the land revalued.

Multiple properties are farmed together but each property is valued as if it could have a house on it. You can apply to have the land valued as if it
were one large farm.

Policy objective

To recognise special circumstances pertaining to coastal rural land used for pastoral farming and situations where multiple coastal rural properties are effectively used as one farm property.

This objective supports the principles by removing the impact of unintended consequences and making rates more affordable for pastoral farms on coastal land removing financial barriers to the use of the land.

Remission period

Indefinitely - subject to the conditions and criteria still being met.

Remission value

Up to full amount of the rates.

Council may give a remission of general and/or targeted rates based on the difference in land value and/or capital value between the best potential value of the land arising from its coastal location, and the economic value arising from its actual use.

Where a farm is made up of several individual titles which may or may not be adjacent, Council may remit general and/or targeted rates. This is based on the difference in land value and/or capital value between the actual accumulated value of the individual land blocks and the value of a single block of land in the same locality with the same land area.

Conditions and criteria

The application must support the objectives of this policy.

The land must be rural land that has a valuation significantly more than the rating value (uneconomic land) of its current use as its rating value is based on its potential for housing development in a coastal area.

Where coastal land is used for pastoral farming and contains multiple rating units (fragmented land) valued at a higher amount due to their potential for housing a remission may be made to give the effect as if the land were valued as pastoral land.

Where coastal rural rating units are used as one pastoral farm, and each have a housing site as part of the rating valuation, an application can be made to have all properties valued as if they were one contiguous farm property.

For example, a farm of five 20-hectare properties will be treated for rating purposes as if it is a single 100-hectare pastoral block. The value of the primary block would not be changed, because it can support a housing site; however, the remaining 4 blocks will receive a remission of that part of their value which relates to potential housing sites.

Council have the discretion whether to extend, reduce or cancel this remission at any time for any reason.

Additional information for application

A signed statement by the applicant that land is used for pastoral purposes only and including the following:

  • Details of the rating units involved.
  • Details of the tenure.
  • Proof of ownership.
  • Evidence of whether the land is formally or informally leased.

To recognise the existing use of land affected by zoning changes, when there is a plan change which rezones land to enable a higher value land use.

This objective supports the principle of financial affordability by providing relief from paying rates on a higher land value as a consequence of a plan change.

Remission period

Up to 6 years.

Remission value

Up to the value of additional rates as a result of the plan change.

Conditions and criteria

The application must support the objectives of this policy.

The land has been used in accordance with the applicable rules in the Tairāwhiti Resource Management Plan and resource consents prior to the plan change.

The land must be subject to a plan change, other than by the owner, resulting in a different zoning.

The remission ceases to apply if:

  • The land is sold or transferred.
  • The use of land changes.

For land that has a natural, historic and cultural heritage.

To acknowledge the wider community benefit of protecting natural and cultural heritage areas which are on privately owned land including whenua Māori land.

To recognise the extent of voluntary protection given to natural and cultural heritage areas on private land, including whenua Māori, with or without public access. Eg. Nga Whenua Rahui, Queen Elizabeth II Covenants (QEII).

For reference:
Ngā Whenua Rāhui Fund application form (doc.govt.nz)
Protecting Your Land | QEII National Trust

Remission period

Indefinitely – as long as the natural or cultural heritage remains protected and in existence.

Remission value

Up to 100% of rates, excluding rates for services to the property. Land not subject to an encumbrance recorded on the certificate of title shall have the remission level set in accordance with the merit of the application.

Conditions and criteria

The application must support the objectives of this policy.

Natural, historic and cultural heritage areas will be independently assessed by a certified professional.

The area shall have no or minimal economic activity associated with it.

An encumbrance (or similar mechanism) shall be in place over the land or part of the land for the purpose of providing protection to the natural or cultural heritage, which Council considers is satisfactory to provide long-lasting protection.

This policy does not apply to land with a covenant under the Reserves Act 1977, the Conservation Act 1987 or Heritage New Zealand Pouhere Taonga Act 2014 which are non-rateable under the Local Government Rating Act 2002.

Additional information for application

In addition to the standard application form, this information must be provided, contact us to discuss your proposal.

  • An independent assessment of the natural and cultural values.
  • A copy of the certificate of title and the encumbrance or other protection.
  • Other information to support the application.

Where a ratepayer has a genuine arrangement with Council to pay overdue rates within an agreed timeframe, We may remit rates up to $500 and additionally any penalties. A penalty suppression can be applied on the property to avoid the further penalties.

Objective

To allow for the remission of rates and water rates to allow the ratepayer to catch up on rates arrears.

This objective supports the principle to remove financial barriers to the recovery of rates arrears.

Remission period

Determined on a case-by-case basis.

Remission value

Up to $500 plus any penalties.

Conditions and criteria

The application must support the objectives of this policy.

The ratepayer must enter into a genuine arrangement with Council to pay overdue rates within an agreed timeframe.

Council may remit rates and water rates arrears of up to $500 and can apply a penalty suppression on the property to avoid further penalties within the arrangement period.

The ratepayer may be offered a remission of a fixed amount if overdue rates are repaid in accordance with the entering into genuine payment arrangement as outlined under condition 1.

This may be any amount up to the full sum of past penalties still owing.

Remission of penalties will be considered where payment has been late due to:

  • circumstances outside the ratepayer’s control, such as a significant family disruption.
  • the property was recently purchased and the settlement date coincided with penalty dates.
  • Rateable Māori freehold land vested in trustees, which has insufficient income derived from the land to pay rates.
  • A genuine payment arrangement is made to pay overdue rates within a specific timeframe.

To allow for the remission of penalties when payments are not received by the date set for penalty imposition due to circumstances outside of the ratepayer’s control.

This objective supports the principle to remove financial barriers to the recovery of rates.

Remission period

One off.

Remission value

Up to 100% of the penalty.

Conditions and criteria

The application must support the objectives of this policy and:

a. The ratepayer suffered due to a significant family disruption such as death, illness, accident of a family member or other ‘one-off’ event; or
b. The property was recently purchased, and the settlement date coincided with or was near the penalty dates; or
c. Rateable Māori freehold land vested in trustees, which has derived insufficient income from the land to pay the rates (where section 93 of the Local Government Rating Act 2002 applies).

The applicant has a good record of on-time payments for previous rate instalments.

The ratepayer enters a genuine arrangement to pay overdue rates within a specified timeframe or has paid the relevant rates in respect of rates to which the penalty was added.

Applies to horticultural properties if the value of the permanent crop is included in the value of the rating unit such as grapes, citrus, kiwifruit and apples.

Under capital value rating schemes, permanent crops are regarded as part of the capital value. This means that under capital rating, 2 identical farms, one of which grows a permanent crop such as citrus, and the other grows an annual crop such as squash, could pay completely different rates, even though their utilisation of Council’s infrastructure services (eg roads) maybe the same.

Objective

To maintain relativities in the rates paid between horticulturalists who grow permanent crops and those who grow annual crops, for subsidised targeted road rates set on capital value. In some circumstances (such as financial hardship) and due to the transitioning to a new change in policy over years 2022-2023, it may also be applied on general rates set on capital value. This objective supports the principle of making a modification to the rates any unintended consequences arising from the application of rating policy (see 11.1).

Remission period

The remission will apply for a period of one financial year.

Remission value

Based on valuation information calculated by Council’s rating valuer where the portion of the rate set on capital value is due to capitalised crop value. 2021/2022 The remission in rates (based on the rating valuers calculation) must be greater than $100 but no more than $7,000.

Conditions and criteria

Application must support the objectives of this policy. The land must be a horticultural block on which permanent crops comprise part of the property’s capital value. The rates remitted under this policy will be on application from the ratepayer and for the targeted subsidised roading rates,  on the portion of their capital value which is due to capitalised crop value. In some cases, such as financial hardship, the rates remitted may also include general rates set on capital value.

Council’s valuers will provide additional valuation data on all properties with a land use classification of 'Horticultural'. This additional data will be the Capital Value of the permanent crops plus the capital value of any supporting structures for those crops. It will not include other items, such as irrigation systems, packing sheds or the like.

The application form for permanent crop rate remission is below.

To provide rates relief for the unintended and significant impact on specific rates caused by changes to the Revenue and Financing Policy.

This objective supports the principle of making a modification to the rates any unintended consequences arising from the application of rating policy.

Remission Period

One year but up to 3 years on a case by case basis.

Remission value

See below.

Conditions and criteria

The application must support the objectives of this policy.
This policy only applies if:

  • There is an increase to the rates applied to a rating unit as a result of changes made to the Revenue and Financing Policy; and
  • The rates increase for a rating unit is 10% or more as a result of changes made to the Revenue and Financing Policy when compared to the total rates payable for the previous year and after other remissions have been applied.
  • There was financial hardship arising from the increase in rates

A property may be eligible for a remission if:

  • A rate has increased by at least:
  • $1,000; and
  • 30% of the total for that rate compared to the previous rating year.

The amount remitted will be up to amount of the increase above the $100 and 30% threshold (whichever is higher).

If the remission is applied to more than one year, then the rate of remission in the years following will decrease 30% from the previous year; up to a maximum of 3 years.

The remission will be applied as a lump sum to the rates assessed against each rating unit in that year of application.

No remission will be granted if the total remission for all the relevant rates subject to the specific changes does not exceed $500 (GST inclusive).

Note: A remission may be offered to smooth rate peaks due to changes to the Revenue and Financing Policy for certain activities which lead to financial hardship as a result of significant increases in the amount of rates assessed for a rating unit.

To provide for the remission of the UAGC and certain targeted rates on properties where it would be when circumstances are inappropriate and/or impractical to charge them; when Council may wish to encourage sub-division development in urban areas. It includes:

  • Multiple dwellings on a property are not used as dwellings or are derelict or uninhabitable.
  • Multiple dwellings on a property are used by dependent family member or caregiver.
  • A business has separate accommodation essential to the operation of the business.
  • Dwellings are vacant for more than 3 months and generate no income.
  • In certain circumstances where nearby properties are used for the same purpose.
  • Nearby properties for subdivision are in the same ownership.
  • Land which cannot be built on.
  • Low value properties.
  • Other circumstances where it's reasonable to remit a UAGC and certain targeted rates.

This objective supports the principle of making a modification to the rates to address unintended consequences arising from the application of rating policy.

Note: Certain targeted rates are charged per SUIP (separately used or inhabited part of a rating unit) for services above what would be supplied to a single household or in the case of uninhabitable buildings / properties as a part charge.

Remission period

Typically for 3 years but up to indefinitely – subject to change of circumstances.

Remission value

Up to 100% of the UAGC and selected targeted rates.

Discretionary targeted rates include:
  • Water supply connection charge
  • Toilet pan charges
  • Refuse and recycling collection
  • Transfer station refuse sticker charges
  • Stormwater
General conditions and criteria

The application must support the objectives of this policy.

This policy applies where there are:

  • Multiple dwellings recorded on the valuation records, but one or more dwellings are not being used as dwellings, are derelict or uninhabitable.
  • Multiple dwellings on a property, but they are being used by members of the direct family of the ratepayer (such as granny flats, teenagers).
  • Multiple dwellings on a property, but one or more is used by live-in caregivers, or to provide humanitarian assistance (in other words, used by persons who would normally “live in” if the ratepayer’s primary accommodation had been large enough in the first instance).
  • Businesses with separately accessible accommodation on the rating unit, which is a prerequisite for the efficient operation of that business.
  • Dwellings on rural land that are vacant for more than 3 months of the current rating year and no income is derived from the use of the dwelling.
  • Uninhabitable land in residential or lifestyle rating categories.
  • Near contiguous rural properties up to 10 km apart operating as a single farming unit.
  • Near contiguous rural properties up to 10 km apart used for the same purpose and the same business.
  • Near contiguous subdivision properties in common ownership.
  • Properties valued below $6,001.
  • Other circumstances where a remission of a UAGC or certain targeted rates is just and equitable.

Refer to the Rate Remission Postponement Policy for the full criteria and specific conditions.

Council recognises that significant rate arrears can act as a disincentive to anyone who wishes to take responsibility for, use, or lease Māori freehold land when a new user becomes responsible for the payment of any existing rate arrears and penalties on the land.

Schedule II procedures of the Local Government Act 2002, have been attempted but are not able to be progressed for a range of technical or economic reasons. Therefore, the rates on the land accumulates and cannot be collected in any real sense and accumulate to the point where they
are irrecoverable in a court of law. This is after a period of six years in accordance with the Limitation Act and the Local Government (Rating) Act 2002 Section 65.

Objectives

To provide remission of rates on Māori land where the procedures of Schedule 11 (Rates Relief on Māori Freehold Land) of the Local Government Act 2002 become too impractical or uneconomic to pursue.

To enable rates and/or penalties to be practically or fully written off when there is virtually no practical way of recovering past outstanding debt.

Remission period

Case by case basis.

Remission value

Partial or fully written off rates and arrears of the irrecoverable debt.

Conditions and criteria

Schedule II procedures (of the LGA 2002) have been attempted but are not able to be progressed.

Rates on the land cannot be collected in any real sense.

Supports Māori landowners and those responsible for whenua Māori who wish to develop previously unused or unoccupied land for economic use.
Council may remit general rates and the UAGC on a sliding scale over 5 years.

Enabling and incentivising Māori economic development through the remission of rates may see direct economic and social benefits to landowners by generating a return on the land, as well as to Council from future rates contributions.

Council recognises that significant rate arrears can act as a disincentive to anyone who wishes to take responsibility for, use, or lease Māori freehold land when a new user becomes responsible for the payment of any existing rate arrears and penalties on the land.

Objectives

To support Māori landowners and those responsible for whenua Māori who wish to develop previously unused or unoccupied land for economic use which could lead to future financial returns for Māori freehold landowners, economic development of the Tairāwhiti district, and payment of rates to Council.

This objectives support minimising the alienation of the land and facilitating development of whenua Maori for economic use.

Remission period

Up to 5 years – or until the conditions and criteria are no longer met.

Owners and ratepayers of unproductive and unoccupied land can apply for remission of the rates where the use of land is limited due to physical
accessibility or fragmented ownership and is not used.

To assist owners and ratepayers of unproductive and unoccupied land where the use of land is limited due to the physical accessibility of the land or fragmented ownership.

To avoid further alienation of Māori Freehold Land because of financial pressures that may be brought by the imposition of rates on lands not used or owners are non-contactable.

Remission period

Up to 3 years – subject to continue until the conditions and criteria are no longer met.

Remission value

Up to the full amount of rates.

Conditions and criteria

The application must support the objectives of this policy.

To be eligible under this policy, the land

  • Must have no land administration, management or operating structures to administer the land.
  • Must not be used by any person or entity.
  • Must be unoccupied with no place of residence built on the land; and

If any portion of the land is being sold or transferred within the remission period, this remission will no longer apply, and normal rates and penalties will be applied from the date of sale or transfer.

If there are any arrears on the land, the Council can remit part or all of those arrears.

Council may remit rates and penalties if the owners cannot be located after reasonable efforts were made.

Council officers are permitted to undertake periodic inspection of land to confirm unoccupied status.

Provides rates relief to ratepayers who wish to use or occupy portions of Māori freehold rating unit previously unused and unoccupied. The used and unused portions are separated and the rates are divided between them.

To avoid further alienation of Māori Freehold Land as a result of financial pressures that may be brought by the imposition of rates on lands not used.

Remission period

Up to 3 years – subject to continue until the conditions and criteria are no longer met.

Remission value

Up to 100% of the general rate and UAGC on Apportionment B (unused/unoccupied portion of land).

Conditions and criteria

The application must support the objectives of this policy.

The portion of unused or unoccupied land is greater than 2 hectares of the rating unit.

The use and/or occupation may be undertaken by the landowner or a third party.

Upon approval of the remission application, Council’s rating valuer will create a division of the underlying valuation record creating 2 rating units:

  • a. Apportionment A: The portion of the rating unit that is used/occupied; and
  • b.  Apportionment B: The portion of the rating unit that is unused/unoccupied.

Council will determine rates to be paid by Apportionment A and Apportionment B on the following basis:

  • a. General Rates: apportioned between Apportionment A and Apportionment B based on the capital value.
  • b. UAGC: apportioned between Apportionment A and Apportionment B based on the land area.
  • c. Targeted Rates: apportioned between Apportionment A and Apportionment B based on the basis used as the factor of liability for the targeted rate.

If Apportionment A includes a dwelling, a UAGC will be charged as per Council’s definition of a SUIP in the Funding Impact Statement (ie, the UAGC is not apportioned).

Council will set and assess rates both the apportionments created by the division that created Apportionment A and Apportionment B.

If any area of land on Apportionment B becomes used or occupied, a new application is required under this policy.

The status of the land will be continually monitored.

Postponement of rates

This applies to both residential and non-residential properties. To assist ratepayers experiencing financial hardship which directly affects their ability to pay rates.

These objectives support our principle of financial affordability.

General conditions and criteria

The application must support the objectives of this policy.

Council must be satisfied that the ratepayer does not have the financial capacity to pay their rates instalment when demanded, or the payment of rates instalment would create financial hardship to the ratepayer.

Any postponed rates will be postponed until:

  • A date specified by the Council; or
  • The death of the ratepayer (s); or
  • The ratepayer (s) cease(s) to be the owner of the rating unit through sale or transfer.

Postponed rates may be registered as a charge, by registering a Notice of Charge on the Record of Title.

An annual postponement fee may be required.  This fee will calculated as a percentage interest rate and will be used to cover Council’s administrative and financial costs.

Before making written application, the applicant must have received budget advice from the budget advisory service, accountant or lawyer and must make the budget adviser’s findings available to Council staff.

Applicants may also elect to postpone the payment of a lesser sum than that which they would be entitled to have postponed pursuant to this policy.

Residential

The rating unit must be the primary residence of the ratepayer.

When considering whether financial circumstances exists, all of the ratepayer’s personal circumstances will be relevant including the following factors:

  • Age
  • Physical or mental disability
  • Injury
  • Illness
  • Family circumstances
  • All property and other assets (including financial assets)

Council must be satisfied that the ratepayer does not have the financial capacity to pay their rates instalment when demanded, or the payment of rates instalment would create financial hardship to the ratepayer.

In addition to the general conditions outlined above, any postponed rates will be postponed until

  • The ratepayer (s) cease(s) to use the property as their residence.

Non-residential rating units

The postponement of rates is a last resort to assist commercial, industrial, business or farming ratepayers after all other avenues to meet commitments have been exhausted. The financial hardship must be caused by circumstances outside the business’s control.

In addition to the general criteria, the following criteria for non-residential applications must also be considered.

Criteria for postponement of rates for non-residential rating units, in cases of hardship are as follows:

  • The applicant must be unable to pay their rates because of business circumstances.
  • The applicant must have tried all other avenues (including a loan from their bank) to fund their rates.
  • The net value of an applicants property (after the value of all the mortgages on the property and the total value of the rates postponed) must exceed 10% of the market value of the property.

Council’s policy is that rates for Māori freehold land will not be postponed but instead will be dealt with under the rate remission policies for Māori land.

What you need to know before making an application

To apply for a remission, make sure you apply on the correct form. A separate application is required for each remission.

All applications must be:

  • a. Made by the ratepayer or their authorised agent.
  • b. Accompanied by any required additional information.

1. Applications will be considered on their individual merits and on a case-by-case basis. The applicant will be notified of the outcome of their application.

2. Council may:

  • a. Request additional information from applicants to enable the assessment.
  • b. Inspect the property in order to assess the application and to confirm compliance with policy criteria from time to time. Inspection will be with the owner’s or ratepayers consent and may include taking of photos or video in person or remotely.

3. The applicant of the property, must provide proof of eligibility (including required additional information, listed under each policy) which will be confirmed using relevant Council records.

4. To be considered for a rate remission under each policy, make sure that conditions and criteria (both general and specific, if stated) are met before applying.

5. All personal information provided to Council will be treated as confidential.

6. Incomplete information or if an inspection is not granted for Council staff to make an assessment may mean that the application cannot be processed.

7. Rate remissions result in the relevant rates account for a rating unit recording the rates or portion off the rates remitted as paid.

8. Remissions are not paid in cash to the ratepayer. Multi-year rate remissions are applied in the relevant rates account for a rating unit recording the rates or portion of rates remitted as paid when the rates are assessed.

9. Any decision made by Council under this policy is final.

10. If a ratepayer contests a decision made under delegation to staff, the applicant may request the matter be referred to Council or a committee delegated to undertake such a review.

Application forms

If you're not sure which form to fill in, please contact us.