​Long-term leaseholders in Johannesburg have been requested to update the General Valuation Roll by providing accurate property information to the municipality.

The Property Branch has issued the call in line with Section 42 of the Municipal Property Rates Act (MPRA), which aims to reinforce and build relationships with the City’s property clientele.

The requested information will assist the Property Branch to understand how many residential or business properties have long term leases within its cadastral.

The General Valuation Roll assigns a value to all properties in a municipality, in a bid to generate rates on an equitable basis.

“The municipality should ensure that persons liable for payment receive regular and accurate accounts that indicate the basis for calculating the amounts due,” says Cllr Thapelo Ahmad, the MMC for Development Planning.

Cllr Ahmad adds that the collection of property information will ensure long-term leaseholders pay rates according to the market value of their properties.

“This will enable the City to generate revenue for services that benefit the community as a whole as opposed to individual households,” he explains.

As required in section 44 of the MPRA, the City commits that all information provided and received will be treated as confidential.

The MMC says no leaseholder will be treated unfairly during this process.

“Objections will be considered by the Municipal Assessor and a Valuation

Appeal Board, should a property owner wish to appeal,” he adds.

Property owners in a registered long-term lease are expected to provide the City with a copy of the contract against the Freehold property and a copy of any Right in Land registered against the Freehold property owned or vested in the City.

For submissions, residents may telephone 011 407 6405 or email valuationenqueries@Joburg.org.za.

“Residents can also visit the Joburg Website on www.Joburg.org.za. Drop-offs will be considered on the 1st floor, East Wing of 66 Jorissen Street, in Braamfontein,” says Amad.