Cape Town residents could get relief on rates, water and electricity

0 Cape Town households earning below R7 500 a month could qualify for relief on rates, water, sanitation, refuse and electricity. Image: canva Home » Lifestyle » Property » Cape Town residents could get relief on rates, water and electricity

Property valuations have changed some Cape Town municipal bills, but the City says there’s help available for qualifying residents.

0 Cape Town households earning below R7 500 a month could qualify for relief on rates, water, sanitation, refuse and electricity. Image: canva Cape Town households with a combined monthly income below R7 500 are being encouraged to apply for the City’s income-based indigent grant.

The call comes after the City’s latest General Valuation resulted in some property values increasing, with some households consequently seeing changes to their electricity tariffs and, in certain cases, new refuse removal charges.

The City says these changes could place additional pressure on some households and is encouraging qualifying residents to apply for the assistance available to them.

Households with a combined monthly income of less than R7 500 can apply for the City’s income-based indigent benefits.

Approved applicants can receive monthly relief on:

Additional assistance is also available towards electricity costs where consumption is below 250kWh, or 450kWh for customers with a prepaid meter. The electricity benefit does not apply to Eskom customers.

The City’s legally required General Valuation takes place every three years. Following the latest valuation, some property owners have seen their property values increase, which has resulted in changes to the electricity tariffs applicable to some customers and, for others, the introduction of refuse removal charges.

The City says customers whose property valuations have increased above R620 000 are responsible for property rates and all other applicable services unless they qualify for assistance.

The property value is shown on the customer’s municipal invoice.

Customers whose property value is now between R500 001 and R580 000 have been moved from the Lifeline to the Domestic electricity tariff.

Those whose property value is between R580 000 and R620 000 and whose electricity tariff has changed from Lifeline to Domestic are also now being charged for refuse removal.

The City of Cape Town warns that if refuse charges are not paid, debt deductions may be made from electricity purchases and further debt management action could follow.

For properties valued at more than R620 000, customers have been moved from the Lifeline to the Domestic electricity tariff and are also liable for property rates and all applicable service charges.

Outstanding debt could result in deductions from prepaid electricity purchases and other credit-control and debt-collection action.

The City says it wants qualifying residents to continue receiving support during the transition.

Residents whose property values have changed are therefore encouraged to apply for the income-based indigent benefits if their household income is below R7 500 per month.

Once approved, the applicable benefits will be activated in accordance with the City’s Indigent Policy.

There are also some important limits to the benefits. The indigent grant applies only to the first refuse bin registered on a property. Any additional bins remain chargeable at the applicable tariff.

For electricity, the benefit applies only to the main electricity meter. Secondary meters, including those serving a granny flat or separate dwelling, do not qualify.

The City has also extended the U-Lock on previously approved indigent accounts until 30 November 2026.

Previously approved indigent customers who:

will not be required to make payments towards their municipal accounts until 30 November 2026.

Residents can download the indigent application forms from the City of Cape Town’s website and submit them via email to indigent.relief@capetown.gov.za. Applications can also be handed in at a City walk-in centre.

Residents who need assistance with the application can visit a City walk-in centre for help.

The City is encouraging qualifying households to apply as soon as possible so that they can access the applicable benefits once their indigent status has been approved.

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