Cape Town points valuation-hit households to indigent relief as rates bills shift
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The City of Cape Town is urging households earning under R7,500 a month to apply for indigent relief after the latest General Valuation changed property values, electricity tariffs and refuse charges for some owners.
Cape Town households with a combined monthly income below R7,500 are being encouraged to apply for the City’s income-based indigent grant after the latest General Valuation resulted in some property values rising, changing electricity tariffs and, in certain cases, adding new refuse removal charges.
The City’s legally required General Valuation takes place every three years. Following the latest valuation, some property owners have seen their values increase, which has changed the electricity tariff applicable to some customers and introduced refuse removal charges for others. The City says the changes could place additional pressure on some households.
Approved applicants receive monthly relief on rates, water, sanitation, refuse and electricity. Additional assistance is available towards electricity costs where consumption is below 250kWh, or 450kWh for customers with a prepaid meter; the electricity benefit does not apply to Eskom customers.
The valuation also sets new thresholds. Customers whose property value is now between R500,001 and R580,000 have been moved from the Lifeline to the Domestic electricity tariff. Those valued between R580,000 and R620,000 whose tariff has changed from Lifeline to Domestic are also being charged for refuse removal. Properties valued above R620,000 are liable for property rates and all other applicable service charges.
The City warns that unpaid refuse charges may lead to deductions from electricity purchases and further debt management action, and that outstanding debt can result in deductions from prepaid electricity and credit-control steps.
There are limits to the relief: the indigent grant applies only to the first refuse bin registered on a property, and the electricity benefit applies only to the main meter, so secondary meters serving a granny flat or separate dwelling do not qualify. The City has extended the U-Lock on previously approved indigent accounts until November 30, 2026, meaning those households will not have to pay towards their municipal accounts until then. Application forms are available on the City’s website and can be submitted to indigent.relief@capetown.gov.za or handed in at a walk-in centre.