The City of Johannesburg is calling on all property owners to take full advantage of the substantial property rebates available through the approved 2025/26 Property Rates Policy. This is as the City seeks to stimulate investment in the property market and revitalise key urban areas.
This follows the approval and passing of the 2025/26 Budget by Council in May 2025 along with the 2025/26 Property Rates Policy. The Rates Policy has also set an ambitious plan to prioritise service sector – as a key sector in the rejuvenation of the Central Business Area (CBD).
“Service sector will be regarded as a priority key sector in the rejuvenation of CBD area, recognising its potential to drive economic growth, create jobs and enhance the overall quality of life for residents,” reads the Policy.
The new Property Rates Policy aims to attract property developers to build massive high density residential developments within the City. It also encourages huge re-investment into CBD areas through the development or refurbishment of those properties. In exchange, the City is committed to giving back significant rebates to those property owners as part of the rejuvenation of the inner-city.
Boosting investment in CBD:
- Rejuvenation of Central Business (CBD) rebate
- Property owners will pay only 25% of property rates during the construction phase (up to two years);
- For the first and second year of operation post-construction, only 50% of rates will be payable by the owners;
- This reflects massive savings to the owner.
Property owners can also apply for other property rebates which include:
- Residential property;
- Expanded Social Package (ESP);
- Owners dependent on pensions;
- Owners dependent on pensions due to work-related injuries;
- Owners rebate for people with disability;
- Heritage properties;
- High-density developments;
- Properties used for sports;
- Properties used for protection of animals;
- Properties within declared Disaster Areas;
- Private Open Space;
- Vacant land;
- Undevelopable vacant land;
- Housing Development Schemes for Retired Persons;
- Properties owned by a SHRA-accredited Social Housing Institution and used for social housing;
- Child headed household;
- Properties within designated corridors and nodes:
- Township industrial developments;
- Properties used for religious purposes;
- Nature reserve;
- Municipal property.
Those applying for rebates, should be mindful that their application will only be processed if the account is not in arrears unless there is a payment arrangement or a dispute. Should the customer default on payment arrangement, the City reserves the right to withdraw the rebate.
Eligible property owners can apply for rebates through a prescribed form, which available on:
- City’s website
- At any Customer Service Centre
- Upon request made to the e-mail address: ratescomments@joburg.org.za
INFO SUPPLIED
