THE more we look at the new municipal valuation roll which property rates will be based on for the next four or five years, the harder it is to understand.
One of our members lives in a retirement complex and when he looked through the valuations of the more than 30 properties in the complex he was confused. They just did not make sense. The best units seemed to have the lowest valuations while the ones for which there was the least demand and often stood empty had the highest valuations.
He did some basic arithmetic and found that when he divided the valuation of individual the homes by the number of square metres of the building, the answer was always 19 000. In other words, the valuation professionals had simply come up with an average figure and applied it to all the homes.
On the face of it that may seem fair, but it is not. A record of recent sales shows that the prices of the units ranged from more than R27 000 per square metre to as low as R12 000.
There were good reasons for the differences. Some homes were bright and sunny with little gardens and great views while others were cold, gardenless and views were blocked by a large, ugly roof.
Regardless of these fundamental differences, the “professionals” had simply taken an average figure and applied it to both good and not-so-good units. To our minds, that’s a lazy and uncaring way to do a job for which they are being well paid.
There are many other cases where similar short cuts may have been taken so it is essential that you examine the valuation roll to see whether you have been fairly treated. It’s quite easy. Just press the Control key on your computer while you click on the link below:
https://www.knysna.gov.za/live-here/rates-and-services-valuation-roll/
The municipal website will appear and all you have to do is scroll down to “General valuation roll 2023 – 2028”. Click on this and six new lines will appear on your screen. Click on the top line – KNYSNA FULL GV… and all 485 pages of the roll will appear.
Do not be intimidated for there is a quick way to find your property. Just press Control and the F (for Find) key. A small space will open up in the top right hand corner of your screen. Type in your surname or the name of the trust which owns your home and press the execute key. The computer will quickly scroll through the long list and stop when it finds your name. If you have a popular surname like, say, Williams, you will have to press the execute key several times until the right “williams” comes up.
On your screen will be a single line with the vital information on your home and the municipality’s estimate of its market value. Above and below your property details will be details of other properties in your area
for easy comparison.
You can also check on the valuations of your friends homes by typing in their names. The more knowledge of other valuations you have the better.