Change in approach to rates remission for yellow stickered properties

Hastings District Council has reviewed its cyclone-related rates remissions process, acknowledging the current framework is resulting in inequities across some red and yellow stickered properties.

“After listening to our communities and conducting a review internally we have moved to make some changes which we believe will mitigate the issue,” said Council’s deputy chief executive Bruce Allan.

Under the new approach, though yellow stickered property owners are still required to apply for the remission, if the yellow sticker has been assigned to their main dwelling/building they will receive a remission for both the third and fourth quarter instalments in the 2022/23 rating year.

“This brings their entitlement in line with red stickered property owners, which is fair and equitable given in many cases a yellow stickered home is still extensively damaged and therefore uninhabitable.”

He said the change will also significantly reduce processing times internally and that yellow stickered property owners who apply for a remission will receive a phone call to advise them of the outcome.

In instances where yellow stickered properties have already been assessed and approved for a fourth instalment remission, a remission for the third instalment will automatically be applied as well and any rates paid for this period reimbursed.

Council is working through options for offering rates relief from 1 July 2023.

21 April 2023

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