Remission of Rates Penalties
This policy allows the Council to assess and consider the penalties charged on rates arrears and provide some relief to the affected ratepayer.
Remission of Rates Penalties (Unpaid)
Objective of Policy
The objective of this remission policy is to enable the Council to act fairly and reasonably in its consideration of penalties charged on rates which have not been received by the Council by the due date.
The intention is to have a fair and equitable approach to penalties. The Council’s intention is that penalties are a method of discouraging late payment, not a source of revenue.
Conditions and Criteria
1. Upon receipt of a written application from the ratepayer, the Council may remit a penalty where it considers that it is fair and equitable to do so. Matters that will be taken into consideration by the Council include the following:
(a) Rates (excluding the penalty) should be paid in full before remission is considered, except where provision is made for the remission of penalties prior to full repayment where regular payment plans, extending beyond 12 months, are in place and performing satisfactorily.
(b) Remission may be granted where late payment has arisen for an acceptable genuine reason or extraordinary event.
(c) The past payment history of the ratepayer is to be considered in all circumstances.
(d) There should have been an established regular payment arrangements plan, which has been performing satisfactorily, resulting in the reduction of rate arrears.
2. The Council reserves the right to impose conditions on the remission of penalties.
Rates to be Remitted
Remissions up to the total amount of penalties charged on a rating unit may be applied to qualifying properties.
For more information and how to apply for a remission please contact the Rates Officer on 07 306 0500.