Financial matters  |  20 Jan 2020

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Time is running out for Christchurch and Banks Peninsula residents who want to object to their new property valuations.

Objections must be lodged by 5pm, Friday 24 January.

The new valuations were released in November 2019, and were determined by Quotable Value Ltd, who looked at relevant market sales across the district relative to the valuation date of 1 August 2019.

Owners can check their values at ccc.govt.nz/rates.

"We saw an average rise of about one per cent since the last revaluation in 2016, and QV  has received 2275 objections so far – about 1.3 per cent of properties," says Christchurch City Council Head of Financial Management Diane Brandish.

"If you think your property's 2019 rating value doesn't represent its market value relative to 1 August 2019, we encourage you to make a formal objection.  After you make your objection, QV will send a letter confirming receipt and give you a timeframe for when the objection will be completed. In some cases, a valuer may contact you to arrange an inspection of your property.”

“Bear in mind that new work that doesn't necessarily require a building consent, such as renovations and kitchens, may not be a factor in the new values," Ms Brandish says.

Objections must be in writing and can be made:

  • Online at ratingvalueobjections.co.nz.
  • By picking up an objection form from the Civic Offices or a Council library or Service Centre. Alternatively you can call 0800 787 284 and organise to have a form sent out.
  • By emailing ratingsupport@qv.co.nz with the details of their objection.

The new values will apply to rates from 1 July 2020. They do not affect the total rates collected by the Council, which are set through the Annual Plan, but they do influence how much of the total is collected from each ratepayer.

The Council is required to carry out a general revaluation every three years to ensure that rates are spread fairly across the city.