Paying your rates: options, advice and forms
This section explains payment options (including internet banking) and offers advice and payment forms.
Arrears resulting from property sales
If you have recently purchased a property and your rates account shows arrears either contact the previous owner or your solicitor. For more information about property sales.
Due dates
Payment installment dates are available online via the property search engine. If you are unable to pay your rate instalment by the due date, for whatever reason, it is important to contact the Council's Customer Services Department (phone 211 1777 or email).
Financial hardship
Elderly people who suffer from financial hardship may apply to have their rates applied as a charge on their estate (that is, the rates will be paid when the property passes to another party or on the death of the property owner). The Council will treat each application individually and confidentially.
Penalties
Penalties are charged for late payments. To avoid a 10% penalty rates instalments must be paid in full by the due date. An additional 10% penalty is charged, over and above the late instalment penalty, six-monthly on all previous years' rates arrears, which remain unpaid by June 30 and December 31.
Payment Options
Direct credits, automatic payments, internet/phone banking
When paying your rates, please take note of your rate assessment number on the left hand side of the invoice above the name and postal address and on the slip at the bottom of the invoice. The rate assessment number links your payment to the property.
If you pay by one of the above methods it is important that the instalment is paid in full by due date, if not, penalties will be charged on the overdue portion.
If you have sold and purchased a property you need to check that the rates assessment number has been updated and that you are using the correct number on any automatic payments, internet or telephone payments. For assistance or inquiries contact the Council's Customer Services team (phone 211 1777 or email).
Credit card payments
At this time the Council does not accept credit cards as a method of payment for rates.
Cash and cheque Payments
Payments can be made at the Council's Invercargill or Bluff offices or by sending cheque payments to the Council. If you send a post-dated cheque, the date on the cheque must not be later than the due date.
Direct debit payments
The Council encourages ratepayers to pay by direct debit. This is often a painless way for many property owners to pay their rates without having to budget for the quarterly rates instalments. It is important to remember that your rates account must be up-to-date before you commence direct debit payments.
Internet payment and bank details