Changes To Rates Ahead – How Hamilton Ratepayers Can Navigate The Impacts
Hamilton's new property values, which will be used for calculating rates from 1 July, are yet to be finalised, and Hamilton City Council acknowledges the concern this timing may bring. To make managing rates easier, Council is encouraging ratepayers to use Payble – its flexible payment system.
'While we don't know the outcome of the citywide revaluations just yet, we recognise that many Hamiltonians may feel concerned about what this could mean for their rates,' said Council's Financial Support Services Manager, Matthew Bell.
'That's why we're letting ratepayers know about the benefits of our new payment platform. Payble provides ratepayers with more control, visibility and flexibility over how and when they pay.
'Ratepayers are able to see their balance, create personalised payment schedules, receive text notifications, and even choose to skip a payment if needed.'
About property revaluations
All councils in New Zealand are legally required to revalue properties every three years. These valuations are used to determine how the city's total rates revenue is distributed – they don't change the amount of money Council collects, just how the 'rates pie' is divided among property owners.
Hamilton City Council's revaluation is being carried out by independent valuers, Opteon. Originally due in April, Opteon requested additional time to complete the work and ensure accuracy. The proposed values will then be audited by the Office of the Valuer-General before being made available to the public.
'The timing of this year's revaluation process isn't something Council controls,' said Bell.
'A revaluation is a massive exercise. Each year more than twenty revaluations are carried out across the country, so scheduling depends on the capacity of both the valuation providers and the Valuer-General's office.'
What to expect
Under the 2024-2034 Long-Term Plan, Council has proposed an average rates increase of 15.5% for the 2025/26 year.
The valuation will reflect property values as of 1 September 2024. The new values will be used for rates from 1 July, which is the beginning of the 2025/2026 financial year.
For many, there will not be a significant change in rates outside of Council's proposed average increase of 15.5%. Council will notify property owners of the updated values as soon as they have been confirmed in June.
Properties with value changes aligned to the citywide average will see rates rise approximately 15.5%. Properties with an above-average value change will experience higher rates rises, and properties with a below-average value change will see smaller rates rises.
More information
To sign up for Payble: visit hamilton.govt.nz/payrates or scan the QR code on your rates invoice.
For more information about the revaluation process: visit hamilton.govt.nz/valuations.
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