Simon’s Town Real Estate News

Simon’s Town Real Estate And Other News

Simon’s Town Property Valuations Rates: The Saga Continues

August 15, 2007 – 10:26 am | by Johan

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I believe that Simon’s Town property owners need to form a united front with regards to the latest valuations-rates saga because it is a mess and if we don’t do something about it we will end-up with the same story in 5 years time.

If we can collate your experiences and frustrations centrally it may help us to formulate a strategy. This is why a created this page for you.

Here is a list of issues and comments from Simon’s Towners and officials on the new rates and taxes:

The problems will persist if we leave it.
The problems were foreseen by many ward counselors but were ignored.
Confusion is rife amongst home owners and the office bearers because of the scale, suddenness and inconsistent increases.
The issue is shrugged off by the empowered offices.
There are many errors with the valuations and the process in general.
The city council is legally required to conduct valuations every 5 years.
Johannesburg decided to wait a year and see how Cape Town makes a fool of itself.
The money paid by Simon’s Towners is supposed to be our money. We have until today not found a municipal accounting measure to monitor this.
Some Cape Town areas have huge maintenance backlogs; will our rates be used in these towns?
Some rates increased by 40%, 100%, 180%, 400% and more.
Within one street with 5 similar valued homes the rates differ inconsistently.
When a private valuator arrived at a property where the owner objected the valuator was asked by the owner to visit the home next door of another objector. The valuator said he was ordered to do this house only, and he will come back when Cape Town asks him to.
Another owner who objected and proposed his own valuation eventually received a ridiculous valuation. He phoned Cape Town and was told to pay rates on “his” valuation.
You have been living in a home for 10 or more years at a value of R500 000 and in one day it jumps to R5.2 million. There’s no phasing in.
If you now have to sell your home because of unaffordable inflated rates are you still a willing seller?
Apparently Cape Town used 27 criteria to valuate a home. But nobody knows what they are except for view.
They tax us on our view but they are not willing to consider the preservation of our view as a legal right of a home owner.
There were 37000 objections and only 8000 were attended to.
George van Schalkwyk said, “They can pay based on their value that they have listed in their objection to the valuation. I suggest they visit a municipal cash office and complete a form to this affect.” Director: Inter-Services Liaison City of Cape Town

What have you done about your valuation?

What should be done about valuations?

Use the form below to help us all by collating and sharing your successes and frustrations regarding valuations.

When you comment click the box next to “Notify me of follow-up comments via e-mail” and you’ll be notified of all new comments by your fellow Simon’s Towners.

May you have a great day.

Johan Horak.
P.S. Johan Horak is the co-owner of the real estate agency called SimonsTownRealty.Info. If you consider sell or buying a home in Simon’s Town they can help you today. Call 0217864028.

SimonsTownRealty: Sell, Buy A Simon’s Town Property? Phone Today 021-7864028 or 082 870 2004

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Tags: Valuation