𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗽𝗲𝗿𝘁𝘆 𝘃𝗮𝗹𝘂𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀 – 𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗲 𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗳𝗮𝗰𝘁𝘀 The law dictates that all properties in South Africa should be evaluated and that all property owners should pay property tax. This is not confined to Drakenstein Municipality alone. In accordance with the Municipal Property Rates Act 6 of 2004, properties are valued as per Section 46(1), which states: “Subject to any other applicable provisions of this Act, the market value of a property is the amount the property would have realised if sold on the date of valuation in the open market by a willing seller to a willing buyer.” Drakenstein Municipality does not have any discretion here – it simply has to abide by the law. The Municipality is not involved in the evaluation process. It does not have any power to influence, lower or raise valuations. This is done by an independent professional valuer, which was appointed following an open tender process. In Drakenstein Municipality, general valuations of properties are conducted every four years by an independent professional valuer based on generally recognised valuation practices, methods and standards. Each property is valued in terms of its primary use, comparable to the valuation region that it is situated in. Drakenstein property owners now have the opportunity to lodge an objection, should they wish to, against their published property value. This objection is lodged to the valuer, not the Municipality. The appeals committee is an independent body consisting of property professionals; the Municipality is not involved in this commitee and no one from the Municipality serves on this committee. Once all objections have been received and reviewed, the Municipality’s new certified General Valuation Roll will be finalised for implementation on 1 July 2025. Property owners should note that there is no direct correlation between an increase in property valuations and an increase in property tariffs. Tariff modelling is a separate process and the new financial year’s draft tariffs and possible property tariff increases will only be presented to the Drakenstein Municipal Council at the end of March this year, as part of the draft budget. The public will have the opportunity to comment on these draft tariffs in April. After considering all comments, the final budget and property tariffs will be tabled at Council at the end of May. The Municipality is well cognisant of the current economic situation and will take all factors into consideration when conducting its tariff modelling in a fair manner. The Municipality also has a policy in place to assist senior citizens and indigent consumers with rebates in this regard. For now, the Municipality encourages property owners to check whether they agree with the market value of their property valuations. If they don’t agree, they may object to the valuer before 24 March 2025. Property owners should note that property values in Drakenstein are increasing because Drakenstein has become a sought-after residential area - supported by a quality lifestyle, top schools, and growing job opportunities thanks to healthy economic activity, increased investment, and continuous development. People from different provinces and neighbouring towns and cities are flocking to Drakenstein, while the area is also becoming a huge drawcard for retirees. Rising property values are also a vote of confidence in how the area is being managed and in the quality of municipal services being delivered. When looking at their monthly municipal services bill, property owners should look at the whole basket of services being charged. Where Drakenstein Municipality can influence costs, it does so to the benefit of its consumers. For example, last year the Municipality decided to raise residents’ electricity bills with a lower percentage than Eskom’s bulk electricity tariff increase, which the Municipality needs to pay. 𝗪𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗲 𝗰𝗮𝗻 𝗜 𝘀𝗲𝗲 𝘄𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗺𝘆 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝗽𝗲𝗿𝘁𝘆’𝘀 𝘃𝗮𝗹𝘂𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗶𝘀? Members of the public can view the Valuation Roll and valuations at: 1. The Municipality’s official website at https://www.drakenstein.gov.za/sites/dw/SitePages/Valuation-Roll.aspx; and 2. The following municipal offices during office hours (8:00 to 16:45 from Mondays to Thursdays, and 8:00 to 15:30 on Fridays): • Paarl Civic Centre, Berg River Boulevard, Paarl, 7622; • Wellington Civic Centre, Upper Pentz Street, Wellington, 7654; • Gouda Municipal Offices, Malva Street, Gouda, 6820; and • Saron Municipal Offices, Claremont Street, Saron, 6812. The Municipality is also sending property owners a copy of the notice pertaining to their property via ordinary mail or other appropriate means. 𝗛𝗼𝘄 𝗰𝗮𝗻 𝗜 𝗹𝗼𝗱𝗴𝗲 𝗮𝗻 𝗼𝗯𝗷𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻? Any person who wishes to lodge an objection in respect of any matter in, or omitted from, the Valuation Roll must do so by 24 March 2025. Objections must be submitted in the prescribed manner, which is either: • Online at https://www.drakenstein.gov.za/sites/dw/SitePages/Valuation-Roll.aspx; or • By completing an objection form available at the municipal offices and submitting it in person or via email to [email protected]. 𝗣𝗹𝗲𝗮𝘀𝗲 𝗱𝗶𝗮𝗿𝗶𝘀𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝘀𝗲 𝗶𝗺𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁𝗮𝗻𝘁 𝗱𝗲𝗮𝗱𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗲𝘀 The deadline for submitting objections is 24 March 2025. Late objections will not be considered. The contracted Municipal Valuer will be afforded the opportunity to review these objections until 29 April 2025. 𝗪𝗵𝗲𝗻 𝗱𝗼 𝗜 𝗹𝗼𝗱𝗴𝗲 𝗮𝗻 𝗮𝗽𝗽𝗲𝗮𝗹? If an objection is not resolved to the satisfaction of the property owner, the property owner can lodge an appeal between 30 April 2025 and 2 June 2025. 𝗛𝗼𝘄 𝗱𝗼 𝗜 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗮𝗰𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗠𝘂𝗻𝗶𝗰𝗶𝗽𝗮𝗹𝗶𝘁𝘆? For enquiries regarding the Valuation Roll, objections, or appeals, please contact: • Isaac Fortuin: 021 807 4534 • Mogamat Gaidien: 021 807 4792 • Jerry Lawrence: 021 807 4825 • Email: [email protected] For further updates and detailed guidelines, visit https://www.drakenstein.gov.za/sites/dw/SitePages/Valuation-Roll.aspx.