Local receives big rates bill

By Frank Neill

Wainuiomata resident Roger Finlay has just received a huge rates bill with a “sudden increase” of 75%.

“The rates were $107.85 [a week] before the increase and [are] now $187.27,” he told the “Wainuiomata News”.

“Are there any other ratepayers in Wainuiomata facing this kind of increase?” Roger asks.

A “crucial point” is that the valuation on his property was done by Quotable Value.

“The fact that there have been no improvements to the property at all in five years points to it being an issue of location rather than anything else,” Roger says. “Rates should be based on improvements, not on location in my opinion.

“I have lived here for 40 years and back in 1983 no one wanted to live here,” he says.

The “Wainuiomata News” asked Hutt City Council about the issue of Mr Finlay receiving a bill with a 75% increase in rates.

“Although Council cannot comment on individual properties, processes are in place to ensure rates are assessed correctly.” the council’s Chief Financial Officer, Jenny Livschitz said.

“The rates team has reached out to Mr Finlay this morning to explain the situation.

“Hutt City Council adopted the 2023-2024 budget as part of the Annual Plan process on 30 June 2023. This set the rates for the year ahead with an overall rates revenue increase for the city of 9.9% (after growth).

“This year’s rates are based on the 2022 property valuations as at 1 September 2022 and sent to property owners in December 2022.

“Rating valuations are usually carried out every three years in New Zealand.

“Last year, property values in Lower Hutt increased by an average of 32.7%. An increase in rating values does not mean council collects more rates. Hutt City Council collects a fixed amount of rates each year, as specified in the Annual Plan.

“Property values are the tool used to determine how to allocate everyone’s share of the total rates each year. If the capital value of a property has gone up more than the average, then the rates are more likely to have increased by more than the average rates increase.

“Hutt City Council rates invoices also include Greater Wellington rates which have increased by an average of 18.2% for properties in Lower Hutt. Further information about these rates is available on their website here: https://www. gw.govt.nz/your-region/planspolicies-and-bylaws/plans-andreports/annual-plans/

“Further information is available on our website including an interactive map showing the property

“I would like to acknowledge Kapiti Gorilla’s whanau for the loss of one of their stalwarts of their club and communityTrevor Mason.

“Thank you Lance [from] Fine Touch Catering for our meal. [It is] always a pleasure eating your kai.” valuation changes in Lower Hutt and a video to explain the Revaluation process and the impact on rates How we set rates and valuations | Hutt City Council

Around 120 people, including players and supporters, attended the tournament.

“We are aware that there have been recent changes in the property market in Lower Hutt however council is required by legislation to set and assess rates using the rating value as at 1 September 2022. T

“hese values are governed by the Rating Valuation Act 1998 and audited by the office of the ValuerGeneral. Rating values with the same effective date are used for all properties in the city and this means that all ratepayers are paying rates on the same basis.

“Although the period for objecting to the 2022 rating valuation has closed, all ratepayers can request an urgent rating valuation through Quotable Value and more detail around the rating valuation process is available on their website Rating Valuations (qv.co.nz).

“If an urgent rating valuation review results in a change in the valuation, this change can only be considered for setting rates from the following rating year. weekly, fortnightly and monthly frequency to help spread payments over the year. - bates is available on the Department of Internal Affairs website and can help with up to $750 towards the annual rates for ratepayers on a low income: Rates Rebates be available from the Ministry of Social Development -visit Work and Income Housing costs for more information.

“We realise that an increase in rates may be significant for some of our ratepayers which is why we have a number of payment options available to help.

“Ratepayers are welcome to contact the rates team at rates@ huttcity.govt.nz with any questions or concerns,” Ms Livschitz said.