Direct Debit - A Good Option

Have you thought about paying your rates via direct debit?  With the beginning of the new financial year comes the first instalment of rates and Council would like to encourage rate payers to use direct debit.

Corporate Services Director Morkel Swart says, “Direct debit is a good form of payment.  It is a simple, straight forward and convenient way to ensure you don’t miss a rates instalment and incur a 10% additional
payment. Whether payments are weekly, fortnightly, monthly or quarterly, the frequency of payments is up to the rate payer.”

Assuming there are funds to clear the amount, opting to pay your rates by direct debit ensures that the exact amount you have to pay is paid when it’s due, not earlier or later and without penalty.

Since 2008 there has been a 28% increase in customers using direct debit, or payments through the internet, and we would like to encourage more home owners to take up this convenient payment option.

To sign up to direct debit, download a form from www.stratford.govt.nz, or phone Council’s Service Centre.

What is Direct Debit?

Direct debit is a method of payment where the rate payer gives Council the authority to take the exact amount of money to pay your rates from a nominated account on the due date without further action being required by the customer (except to ensure there are sufficient funds available for the transaction).