Rates and Property Information

Council's main source of revenue is rates. These are levied under the Local Government (Rating) Act 2002, and provide Council with the necessary funding to deliver all the services provided in our Annual Plan.

Property map

You can find out more information about your property, including your rates, by using our GIS Property Mapping System.

Rates rebates

(Full details are available further down this page)

This is a Government scheme to assist people on lower fixed incomes to pay their rates. The applicant would need to provide their household income details to 31st March 2023 for the current rating year.

If you are eligible and have not yet returned your application form, please make sure you send us your form before the 30th June 2024.

If you have not applied in the past but you may be eligible, contact us as above to see whether you can benefit from this scheme.

Paying your rates and other council payments

Paying online with a debit or credit card

You can pay your Clutha District Council invoice, rates or infringement fine by Real Time Debit (BNZ and Westpac only/no charge) or by Credit Card (2% surcharge applies). Click here to make a payment.

Real time debit

If you bank with BNZ or Westpac you can pay us online using Real Time Debit (RTD). RTD allows ratepayers and residents to pay their rates, water, dog fees, and infringement fees via a direct connection to your bank. You can make a payment using your own funds straight from your own bank account so there is no additional cost. When you pay this way online, the money is taken out of your account and goes directly to Council's account without any delay. Other banks will follow in the coming months. RTD is securely hosted by Datacom. Datacom do not have access to your internet banking or password details. You are safely redirected through to your own bank's online environment.

As more banks come on board with the RTD payment then more people will have the convenience of paying this way. Please contact us regarding refunds for overpayments or incorrect payments or if you require assistance with an online payment.

Electronic bank transfer details

Most banks operate telephone and internet payment systems which you may use to pay your rates. They already hold our bank account numbers to enable easy set up for users. It is important that if you own more than one property, to set up electronic payments for each of these accounts. (You will need to alter your billing details if you sell your property and purchase another).

Clutha District Council's account:

Bank: Westpac

Account: 03 1734 0061851 02

Please note that if you own multiple properties, it is essential that a separate payment is set up for each property.

• Search and add Clutha District Council as a payee
• Choose correct category for the payment you are making (i.e. rates)
• It should then prompt you for the required details
• Ensure you use the correct and complete valuation number as the reference (this can be found on your rates bill).

Overdue accounts may incur late penalty fees and collection costs.

Paying by direct debit

This is an easy way to pay your rates if you have a bank account. The advantages are;

• you can pay either monthly or quarterly, weekly or fortnightly.
• The calculated amount will be debited to your bank account on a Wednesday for weekly and fortnightly payments, the 20th of each month or the nearest working day following the 20th for monthly payments and on the instalment due date for quarterly instalments.
• You will receive a rates notice for each instalment.
• You do not have to remember the penalty date.
• Unlike the automatic payments, there is no need to change your direct debit each year. We will do this for you in July each year and advise you of the new amount.

Should you decide this is the option that best suits you, please contact our rates team on 03 419 0200 and we will send you the appropriate forms, or alternatively you can download and complete the form below and return it to; Clutha District Council, PO Box 25, Balclutha, 9240.

If paying by Direct Credit please quote your Rating Assessment number and your Valuation Number on your payment.

Download and print out a direct debit form.

Other methods: - Please refer to the back of your rates notice for other payment options such as automatic payments, cash or EFTPOS. Please note you can only pay online by credit card nd we no longer accept cheques as a form of payment.

Rates instalments

Rates are payable by quarterly instalments during the financial year which runs from July to June.

The payment dates for the 2022-23 year are shown below.

Any solicitors with rating enquiries should email help.desk@cluthadc.govt.nz

Members of the public wanting more information on any rating matters, please call 03 419 0200 or 0800 801 350 during normal business hours.

Rates invoices

If you’d like to receive your rates by email, or you need to change your email details, please fill in the form below and return to Council.

You can apply to have your rates invoice emailed to you if you are the ratepayer/owner of the property and your name is on the rates notice.

Rates via email application form

Remission of SUIP based rates

Property owners who live on a property that is also used for another purpose may be eligible for a 50% reduction on some portions of their rates. The reduction applies to the ‘separately used or inhabited part’ based rates and may be available where the property has mixed uses. Please read the conditions and criteria in the application form to check eligibility.

Application for remission of SUIP based rates

Rates rebates

What is a rates rebate?

The Rates Rebate Scheme was established by the Government to provide a subsidy to low-income homeowners to help meet the cost of their rates. Local councils administer the scheme and are reimbursed by the Government for all rates rebates. Remember, this is not a benefit but an entitlement like any other form of tax refund.

Do you qualify?

To be eligible for a rates rebate for the 2023/24 rating year;

• You must be the legal ratepayer for the property that was your home on 1 July 2023.
• You must pay rates for the home in which you live.
• You must be named on the Council’s Rating Information Database (RID).
• It must not principally be used for commercial, industrial, business, or farming purposes.

The amount of any rates rebate is based on three factors:

1. the amount of your annual rates levy
2. the total income received by you and your partner
3. the number of dependents residing on the property.

In most cases, the income threshold for the maximum rates rebate of $750 will be $30,100 although the income threshold increases for each dependent in the household.

If you provide these three details to Council, by telephone or over the counter at one of our offices, we can estimate your eligibility for a rates rebate, and if so, how much you are entitled to.

You can also use the rates rebate calculator on the Department of Internal Affairs website to determine any entitlement.

How and when do I apply?

You can apply for a rates rebate by bringing in to Council;

• your rates assessment or rates invoice for your residential property showing you as the legal ratepayer.
• Information about your total income before tax for the year ended 31 March 2023 including Interest/Dividends and Work and Income benefits.
• Details of your partner's/joint homeowner's income if he/she lives with you.

You can apply for a rates rebate at any time during the rating year. The closing date for applications is 30 June 2024.

Where can I get a rates rebate application form?

These are available from Council offices. You can also ask us to post one out to you or you can download one from the DIA Rates Rebate Scheme website.

If you received a rates rebate for the last rating year, you will automatically be sent a rates rebate application form again this year. You can expect to receive this in early August.

You can bring your completed form in to our office, or we can help you complete the form if you prefer.

Is your club or organisation getting a rates discount?

You may be eligible for a rate discount if you are an office-bearer for a community club or organisation involved in recreation, health, leisure, instruction, sport, physical activity or any form of culture. Council can remit up to 100% of rates for all but water, sewerage, and wheelie bin services. Contact us on 0800 801 350 to find out more.