Understanding Your Bills: A Comprehensive Guide 

Rates & taxes 

Paying your rates 

Rates are payable monthly. As a property owner, you should make sure that the City has your current postal address so that you receive your account on time. Even if you do not receive a statement, you are still liable to pay your rates.​ 

Metro Centre 
Payments 

We have arranged a variety of quick and easy options for you to pay your rates and municipal services accounts. (Please remove the red text) 

Electronic payments (Please replace the current information with below) 

Electronic payments make paying your account easier, quicker and safer. Payments can be made at any of the following pay points: 
Deposits at any bank 

• The nine-digit municipal account number should be used as reference to ensure that the deposit is allocated to the correct municipal account; 

• Payments over the counter must be accompanied by the customer’s account. 

Internet Payments 

• Add pre-loaded beneficiary titled City of Johannesburg company beneficiary. 

• Use your nine-digit municipal account number as reference. 

ATM, telephone banking and other 

• Customers who make payments via stop order, telephone banking or ATM must change banking details at their respective banks. 

3rd Party payments  

• Pick ’n Pay 

• Checkers 

• Post office  

Please note that it takes 7 days for the payment to reflect on your municipal account. (All EasyPay) 

The City’s Bank; Frequently Asked Questions 

How to set up a debit order (May you add this) 

Visit the Customer Service Centre to apply for direct debit and load your banking details using a designated form. Submit the full completed direct debit form with attachments such as a 3 month recent bank stamped statement, ID copy and proof of banking details.   

Calculating your rates 

Rates are payable monthly. As a property owner, you should make sure that the City has your current postal address so that you receive your account on time. Even if you do not receive a statement, you are still liable to pay your rates.​ 

Metro Centre 
Payments 

We have arranged a variety of quick and easy options for you to pay your rates and municipal services accounts. (Please remove the red text) 

Calculate your rates: (Please replace current copy with below) 

Step 1: Property market value. 

Step 2: Subtract R350 000 exemption. (Only for residential) 

Step 3: Apply the annual tariff rate based on the category of the property set by the City. 

Step 4: Divide by 12 for monthly charge. 

Note: Rate in the rand changes yearly and differs by property category (residential, business, agricultural etc). 

Example of calculation: 

Step 1: Market value = R1 958 000 

Step 2: Minus exemption: R1 958 000 – R350 000 = R1 608 000 taxable value. 

Step 3: Apply example annual rate (0.005): R1 608 000 × 0.005 = R8 040/year. 

Step 4: Monthly charge: R8 040 ÷ 12 = R670.00/month. 

General conditions: (Please replace current information with below content) 

Residential exemption 

The first R350 000 of your property’s value is tax-free for all residential properties based on the rates policy subject to review and approval annually. 

This reduces the rates burden for homeowners. Businesses do not qualify for automatic rebate. For owners with multiple residential properties, this full rebate applies only to the primary property with the highest market value. All secondary properties receive a reduced rebate of R15,000. 

Applying for residential tariffs for property owners who are billed at a business rates tariff 

Applying for residential tariffs for property owners who are billed at a business rates tariff 

Get link of the updated form 

Refuse – Pikitup 

Waste Management 

Refuse Rates (May you please add this tab) 

A monthly fee charged by the City of Johannesburg for household or business waste removal. Linked to your property’s market value and includes weekly bin collection, landfill disposal, and cleaning services.  Also includes the City Cleaning Levy which funds street sweeping, public bin maintenance, and cleaning of public areas. 

Property category – Residential, business, or other (affects the rate). 

Property value – Used to calculate the base refuse charge. 

Service frequency – Weekly for residential, more frequent for some businesses. 

City Cleaning Levy – Flat monthly amount for city-wide cleaning services.