When to apply
Rates remission applications must be made before the start of the rating year (1 July). Successful applications received during the year will apply from the start of the following rating year.
Exceptions are the following remission applications which may be made after the start of a rating year:
- Special circumstances remission
- Metered water rates remission
No applications will be backdated.
Qualifying criteria
Check the following criteria for each rates remission type. You can include documentation to show the property meets the criteria for the remission type you are applying for.
Remission of rates on land used for sports or games
Where the Council considers a property (rating unit) is used principally for games or sport, it will apply a 50 percent remission of general rates where the property (rating unit):
- has a club licence under the Sale of Liquor Act 1989, and
- would otherwise qualify as 50 percent non-rateable under Part 2, Schedule 1, of the Local Government (Rating) Act, and
- the property is rated at the Base differential.
Note: This policy specifically excludes chartered clubs and clubs holding permanent charters.
Remission of targeted rates on property under development
The Council may remit part or all of the commercial sector targeted rate, Business Improvement District targeted rate, downtown targeted rate and Base sector targeted on land classified under the Council’s commercial/industrial/business or base differential (including residential) where the property is temporarily not fit for purpose. Under this policy, “not fit for purpose” is defined as where:
- the property (rating unit) will not hold sufficient consents to permit occupation and,
- the property (rating unit) will not be used for any purpose, apart from the construction of buildings, premises or associated works, and
- the property (rating unit) will not generate any revenue stream.
The above criteria apply to, and must be met by, an entire property (rating unit) as identified in the Council’s rating information database (RID), or a clearly identifiable portion of the property (rating unit), and apply only for the period the building is not ‘fit for purpose'.
Note: Please attach your recently approved building consent for the work being/has been carried out. Otherwise, the application won't be considered.
Remission of metered water rates
A remission of the residential metered water rate may be granted for excess water consumption where the leak is the rate payer’s responsibility (beyond the point of supply). Excess water consumption will be calculated as the difference between actual metered usage on the latest reading and the average daily metered usage over the last 4 readings. The full water rate will be charged on the average daily usage over the last 4 readings and the excess water consumption (as calculated above) will be charged at the current Greater Wellington Regional Council bulk water rate. This remission should only be applied for if:
- the leak occurred on a voluntary residential metered water property; and
- excess water consumption has occurred through a broken or leaking pipe; and
- evidence is provided that the fault has been remedied within a reasonable time period and prior to the application for a remission.
Note: Please attach the plumber's invoice to show evidence that the leak has been fixed in reasonable time. If the leak has been fixed by the Council or Wellington Water, attach the relevant correspondence received from them.
If a water leak recurs, the Council would require the property owner to get a condition assessment of the pipes on the property prior to any decisions to remit a subsequent remission.
Remission of rates in special circumstances
The Council may remit part of the general rate assessed in relation to particular property (rating unit) where:
- the rates on that property (rating unit) are disproportionate to those levied in respect of comparable property (rating units), or
- the rating policy is determined by the Council to unfairly disadvantage an individual ratepayer.