Home valuations start in July

KNYSNA NEWS - An estimated 30 000 properties will be valued throughout the greater Knysna area as part of the new municipal general valuation roll to be implemented by 1 July 2023.

In a municipal press release issued last week, Knysna Acting Municipal Manager Johan Jacobs confirmed that CDV Waardeerders (Pty) Ltd has been appointed as the service provider to conduct the valuations.

"The service provider uses a variety of methods to gather information, including analysing aerial photographs, visiting sites and conducting neighbourhood drive-throughs," he said.

"Accredited data collectors and valuers carry identification cards that they must produce when premises are being assessed."

These accredited data collectors will take photographs of the street face of properties using cellphone applications and other technology.

Access and safety issues may affect first-round visits of residential properties and appointments for in-person visits must be specifically requested. All farms and businesses must be physically assessed by a data collector on site.

"The process will be completed by the end of August 2022," said Jacobs. "The final general valuation roll will be published for comment in December 2022 and January 2023. The document will be available at municipal offices, libraries and on the municipal website. Ratepayers will be given at least 30 days from the first date of publication of the roll to inspect it and lodge any objections."

Objections must be submitted by completing the prescribed objection form for the specific type of property. Objections must be lodged regarding a specific property and not the valuation roll as a whole.

The objection process will be followed by a valuation appeal process.

Municipalities are required by law to update their valuation rolls every five years to, among other things, determine whether the municipality's property values are in line with actual market-related values of the town.

The value of a particular property is linked to the most likely sales price it would obtain on the open market on the date of valuation by a willing seller and willing buyer, taking into consideration factors such as location, condition and size. The date of the valuation will be 1 July 2022.

"This process also benefits ratepayers, as property owners gain a glimpse of the real market value of their properties," Jacobs said. "It also creates a platform for the public to engage with the municipality to ensure that their properties are correctly valued. It is very important that property owners check their valuations as it would affect the rates they pay on their own properties as well as the overall rate value calculations for the town."

Jacobs thanked all property owners for their cooperation. "We will aim to make the process as easy and accurate as possible, adding value to an inclusive, innovate and inspired Knysna."