Rates and rating values

Through their annual planning processes, every Council in the country works out how much it needs to collect in rates to fund the community services and facilities – from rubbish collection to water, libraries to roading – it needs. Invercargill City Council is no different.

Rating valuations are used to determine how to divide the total cost of funding all of these services fairly, amongst all properties in our rating boundary.

Think of it a bit like splitting up a pie: rating valuations are used to decide your fair share.

There are a few things rating values are not used for: deciding how much a property can or should be sold for, to lending from banks when you’re applying for a mortgage, or for insurance purposes.

The rating revaluation process is carried out every three years, with this work most recently taking based on property values at 1 July 2026. The new revaluations will come be used to calculate rates from 1 July 2027.

You can find your property's rates using Rates search. Please note, that the 2026 revaluations will become available later in the year.

Possibly – but not automatically.

What matters is how your property’s value changes in comparison to every other property value in our community.

For more information refer to the Rating Policy on the Policies page.

Rating valuations look at every single property in our city boundary, and are based on a number of factors.

When the value of your property is assessed, some of the things considered include:

• What properties are selling and renting for in your neighbourhood or suburb
• The type of property, e.g. house, flat, dairy farm, shop, etc
• A property data review using Council records, which looks at details such as land size, floor area, any building consents issued, and any renovations your property has had
• Information in the District Valuation Roll, which contains the valuation details of individual properties in the Invercargill area
• Information about industrial and commercial rental trends obtained from market surveys.

If values were not updated, some property owners would end up paying more than their fair share of rates, while others would pay too little, because property markets fluctuate constantly over time.

Council rating valuations are one component in determining what portion of the city’s total rates you will pay. The total rates revenue that is required is set each year through Council’s annual planning and long-term planning processes, which goes through public consultation.

This total is then apportioned across ratepayers using a combination of factors, including the value of your property.

Capital value

The assessment of the most likely selling price, if your property had been sold on 1 July 2026.

Land value
The assessment of the probable price that would have been paid for the bare land of your property, as at 1 July 2026. It includes development work such as drainage, retaining walls and leveling, but it doesn’t include the value of any buildings or other improvements made to the property.

Improvement value
Improvements – like buildings, driveways, paths, and fencing - add value to the land. Improvement value is the difference between the capital value and the land value of your property.

Capital value is an estimate of market value of your property as at 1 July 2026. Council valuations are used for setting rates. They are not intended for other purposes such as for marketing or for mortgages.

Capital value is the probable price that would have been paid for your property at the date of the valuation (1 July 2026). This value excludes chattels, such as your carpet, curtains, and appliances.

Market value is the probable price that would have been paid for the property at any given date, depending on market factors.

QV (Quotable Value) has been contracted by the Council to conduct rating revaluations in the Invercargill City boundary.

QV valuations are carefully calculated using all recent local property sales. It also visits a large number of properties in the community, particularly those that have been issued building consents since the last revaluation process.

Its expert property valuers then analyse all of the data it collects, to update rating valuations.

QV works closely with LINZ regarding methodology and revaluation results. QV will also handle objections from ratepayers who dispute its valuations.

The Valuer-General audits rating valuations to ensure the values and processes undertaken meet the standards set out in the rating valuations rules. The Valuer General’s office checks the data and undertakes an audit of the council’s revaluation process to ensure its robustness and that it meets all legal requirements. The Valuer General’s approval is required before the values can be published, sent to property owners, and used by Council for rating purposes.

Yes.

You have approximately six weeks (30 working days) to object to the valuation of your property, starting from the date valuations were publicly notified. If you want to object to your valuation due to maintenance work, you have 20 working days to do so.

You can make an objection online, or by personal letter and posting to QV. However you choose to make an objection, you’ll need to include these details:

• The valuation reference number
• The address of the property you’re objecting about
• A daytime contact telephone number
• Your postal address
• Your reason for objecting
• An estimate of what you believe is the true value of the property

You can submit an objection on the QV website:

• Council Rating Value (RV) Objection Form | QV

You can submit updated details for your property shown on the QV website.

1. Search for your property using the Property Search on QV: Property Search | QV
2. Under ‘Valuation Details’, click ‘Update Property Details’.
3. Update your desired fields. You can also add plans and photos. When you are ready click submit.
4. QV will review your submitted amendments and update them if accepted.