Mid Cycle Rate Review

[OBBob]

Hi All

I just want to vent a bit ...

Over the past two years I have been restoring and extending my 100 old house in Melbourne. It's been a fairly large job as it didn't appear to have had anything much done since the 40's.

Our council gives us the option to pay rates in full or break it into '4 easy' payments over the year. While I can, I always pay upfront, in full and on time.

Yesterday I received a 'supplementary valuation for property' letter!! The council is not satisfied to wait 5 months until the next rates cycle ... they are billing me extra for this year!

I knew this would be coming when they noticed that work had been done but it is a little harsh to bill me half way through the cycle. I'm the sort of person they want, not the bloody rented houses that are just rotting away with no maintenance.

I guess this is the same council that held a $2000 deposit for the whole period in case I damaged my driveway ... but then came and dug it up themselves during that time (they still wouldn't refund it of course).

Anway ... thanks for the oportunity!

[Wood Butcher]

Strange about the rates. Here in QLD the rates are based on the unimproved valued of the land, so theoretically what buildings are on the property is immaterial. Still it doesn't suprise me. Councils are just money grubbing leeches who always seem to screw the ratepayers for every cent.

[OBBob]

Nah ... down here there is a component for the 'site value' and the 'capital imporoved value'. Although I'm pretty sure that the 'site value' wouldn't be reduced if I discoved an issue with the site.

[silentC]

Strange about the rates. Here in QLD the rates are based on the unimproved valued of the land, so theoretically what buildings are on the property is immaterial. Still it doesn't suprise me. Councils are just money grubbing leeches who always seem to screw the ratepayers for every cent.

Same in NSW. The Valuer General issues a notice with the value of your land which is used to calculate the ad valorem component of the rates. Glad they didn't move the border like some nutter down there wanted to a couple of years ago.