General Information - Rates

> Instalment details
> Early payment discount
> Penalties
> Public Rating Information Database
> Payment of rates
> Rates arrears
> West Coast Regional Council rates

Instalment Details  (1)

The rating year begins on 1 July and ends on 30 June. The rating year is divided into four equal instalments, each invoiced separately. With your first invoice for the year, you will receive a ‘Rates Assessment Notice’. It provides a breakdown of the rates levied for the current rating year.

To avoid penalties, you must pay your instalments in full by the due dates.

Instalment 1	Covers period 1 July - 30 September
	Due date and payable: 1 August
	FINAL DATE for payment: 31 August
Instalment 2	Covers period 1 October - 31 December
	Due date and payable: 1 November
	FINAL DATE for payment: 30 November
Instalment 3	Covers period 1 January - 31 March
	Due date and payable: 1 February
	FINAL DATE for payment: 29 February
Instalment 4	Covers period 1 April - 30 June
	Due date and payable: 1 May
	FINAL DATE for payment: 31 May

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Early Payment Discount  (2)

A 2.5% discount will apply where all due rates are paid in full, together with any outstanding prior years’ rates and penalties, by 5:00 pm on the due date for payment of the first instalment outlined above.

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Penalties  (3)

A 10% penalty will be added to any amount of the current instalment remaining unpaid after the due date.

An additional charge of 10% will be added on 1 July of each year to any unpaid rates from previous years.

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Public Rating Information Database (4)

All Council’s are required to make available to the public their Rating Information Database.  The Public Rating Information Database (RID) currently includes the following information:
- Valuation Data, ie valuation number, land value, capital value
- Property Details, ie address, land area, improvements, legal description, Certificate of Title
- Rates Details, ie annual levy, categories and factors

In December 2005 the Local Government (Rating) Amendment Act 2004 came into force and requires all Council’s to include the name and postal address of the property owner (S 28A) in the Public Rating Information Database.

Owners can request for their name and/or postal address to be withheld from the Public RID (S 28C).  This request must be made in writing to:

 The Rates Officer
 Grey District Council
 PO Box 382
 Greymouth

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You can pay your rates in person at the Grey District Council offices, 105 Tainui Street, Greymouth, 8.30 am - 4.30 pm or at the Runanga Service Centre, Carroll Street, Runanga, 8.30 am - 12.30 pm.  Payments can also be made by cheque, internet banking, telephone banking, direct debit and automatic payment.  When paying by internet or telephone banking, please make your payment at least three working days prior to the due date to allow sufficient time for processing.

Rates Easypay - Direct Debit
Direct debits can be arranged to pay your rates from your bank account on a weekly, fortnightly, monthly, quarterly or annual basis.  If there are any changes to your rates, they will be adjusted automatically and notfication sent to you – you do not have to visit the bank to make the change.  When there is a change in property ownership, the direct debit is automatically cancelled upon receipt of the sale notice from the solicitor. If you sell your property and purchase a new one, you must arrange a new direct debit.  Direct debits may incur penalties if they are missed or dishonoured.  You will need to make manual payments to make up any dishonoured payments.

Please be aware if you are paying rates by automatic payment, then rates must be paid in full by the due dates otherwise penalties will be incurred. Automatic payment amounts are not monitored by the Council.

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The Council is always happy to discuss a payment plan to assist getting up to date with arrears. Please contact the Rating Department as soon as possible to arrange an appropriate repayment plan on a weekly, fortnightly or monthly basis, which may help reduce future penalty levies.

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The West Coast Regional Council separately levy and collect their rates. Their telephone number is 03-768-0466.

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