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Low-income home owners may be eligible for rates rebates

Whangarei District Council

Wednesday 15 August 2012, 11:43AM

By Whangarei District Council

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WHANGAREI

Do you own the home you are living in and do you have a limited income? If so, you may be eligible for a government rebate of up to $590 on your rates bill.


​To find out whether or not you are eligible just ring Council on 09 430 4237 or call in to see one of our rates rebate staff at Forum North on Rust Ave, Whangarei.

More than 5,000 Whangarei residents may be eligible to receive this rebate.

People who were eligible for the rebate in the past have been contacted by Council and many have already called in and applied for their rebate, but new people become eligible every year through changes in life circumstances, for instance reaching retirement.

WDC Team Leader – Service Centres Marc Donaldson said rates rebates are worked out on a scale that takes into account household income and the size of their rates bill.

The rebate is not supplied in cash, but is subtracted from the amount a ratepayer pays. If a person is paying in full on or before 20 August, Council’s early payment discount of 3% plus the amount of rebate will be subtracted from the total.

For people who pay by four instalments, the rebate will be subtracted from the first instalment.
For those who are paying more frequently by direct debit, a portion of the rebate is subtracted from each payment.

Mr Donaldson said the temporary office is in the same location as the past two years, just off the main foyer at Forum North. There is usually plenty of parking in the Forum North car park. The office is open from 8am to 4.30pm.

“We advise people to make an appointment with us, because this allows them to avoid queues and reduce waiting times. To book an appointment or find out if you may be eligible for a rebate please ring us on 09 430 4237.

We also provide home visits where eligible ratepayers are housebound and unable to come into our offices.