Rates Amnesty Period

07/10/2011

(Friday 7th October 2011, No:1888/MLG) RATES AMNESTY PERIOD

The Ministry of Local Government, Urban Development, Housing and Environment has declared a three-month rates amnesty period commencing October 1 and ending on December 31.  
 
The ministry has directed all municipal councils to allow a waiver of 100 per cent on all interests of rates on full payment of the principal amount and is inviting all ratepayers in default to come forward and settle rates during this period.
 
The rates amnesty period is designed to assist ratepayers in the following ways:
 
  • To enable ratepayers in upgrading their rate profile in councils registry.
  • To enable ratepayers to reconcile rates outstanding records.
  • To allow ratepayers that has fallen behind in the payment of rates, the opportunity to pay.

The incentive for ratepayers to come forward is that all interest on principal amount shall be waived upon payment of overdue rates in within the specified period.
 
To assist ratepayers, all municipal councils rates section are available to provide information and records on outstanding rates.  
 
All municipal councils rates section shall be open from:
 
1.       Monday to Friday          8am to 5pm
2.      Saturday                          8am to 1pm
 
For information via electronic mail ratepayers are to contact their respective municipal councils.
 
All ratepayers are to know that the introduction of rates amnesty is designed to strengthen voluntary compliance and staff of all councils are committed to ensuring the success of this project.
 
This rates amnesty program shall be a one-off exercise and no further discounts/amnesty on outstanding rates will be entertained by the Ministry of Local Government, Urban Development, Housing and Environment.
 
Defaulting ratepayers are reminded that the advantages of this amnesty period are:
 
  • You will receive a full discount on all interest outstanding.
  • You will not be taken to court.
  • You will not need to pay for any further legal costs arising through legal action.
  • Your property will not be subject to mortgagee sale; caveat placing or being a charge entered due to having rates in arrears.
  • You will not be registered on Credit Data Bureau for non-payment of rates.

All ratepayers, whose rates are in default, are requested to come forward, meet the rates section and settle rates outstanding during the amnesty period.