Council Billing Issues

Credit transfers

Paying council accounts via EFT banking comes with a few problems of its own. Have you paid into the wrong account or used the incorrect reference when making payment? Don’t be left cash strapped while you wait for monies to be transferred. Rates Online can assist with the transferring of incorrectly paid funds or a Council Refund as long as the necessary documentation is in order.

Rebates

All residential properties which have a complete dwelling should have been issued an occupation certificate at the time of final inspection and completion. If the zoning is vacant and should be improved Rates Online can assist with the necessary correction of the zoning.

Subdivided Properties

When a property has been subdivided and registered in the Deeds Office there are a number of changes that need to be completed on the council account system. The Rates Online team has extensive knowledge regarding the opening of these new Subdivision accounts, the market value for each and the loading of other services to ensure that all accounts effected are correct.

Meter issues

A common account problem is the billing of estimated meter readings. If council meter readers are unable to obtain a meter reading for a month or the meter has been replaced on the proprty, the council will not be able to load an actual meter reading on the account. The account will then bill an estimated reading for that month. This estimation could result in a higher account than normal or a huge account after months of undercharging.  Rates Online has qualified Rates consultants who assist with the loading of the actual readings and reversals of the interim reading within a couple of days. If a water or electricity meter has been replaced Rates Online can assist in correcting the account so that the new meter appears on the account and normal billing is resumed.

Missing Services

All sectional title stands should receive an account which bills for Assessment Rates and Refuse. All full title stands should be billed for Assessment Rates, Refuse, Sewer, Water and Electricity (unless the stand is vacant or you are billed directly by your Homeowner’s Association or Eskom). Agricultural Holdings will not be billed sewer or water if septic tanks and boreholes are in place. If any of these services are missing, a Rates Online Rates Consultant can assist in loading the missing charges so that they appear on your next account. Even if the error was an initial council oversight the council will eventually backdate the unbilled services and expect payment within 30 days. Therefore it is advisable to have these services loaded as soon as possible.

Assessment Rates

Rates Online Consultants can assist with the reconciliation of your Rates charges or apply for the property to be added to the valuation roll. An account that has no valuation or municipal value will not be able to bill assessment rates. The different zoning or category determines what tariff a property should be charged. Rates Online can ensure that the correct zoning category is used and the appropriate tariff billed on the municipal value. 

Incorrect Details

It is important that all council accounts reflect the correct registered owner name/s, spelling of these names and the correct physical and postal address. Rates Online can assist in rectifying these smaller issues.

New Consolidation

When a property consolidation has been registered in the Deeds Office, there are a number of changes to be made on the council system. The newly consolidated stand needs to be created from scratch and the previous stands need to be devalued and closed. Rates Online’s Consultants can assist with the opening of these new accounts and the closing of the previous accounts.

Pre paid meters

In an attempt to have more control over their ever-increasing electricity charges, many consumers have opted for the prepaid meter solution. Rates Online can assist with the conversion from a conventional meter to that of a prepaid meter.