Rates remissions – Council assistance

Under the Local Government (Rating) Act 2002, we're able to apply a remission to Kāpiti Coast District Council rates (all or part of) in certain circumstances. The criteria for each remission is outlined in the Rates Remission Policy.

Are you eligible for help paying your rates?

You might be eligible for one or more of these remissions to help with paying your rates. Below is a list of what’s on offer. If you think you might be eligible give us a call on 0800 486 486 or email kapiti.council@kapiticoast.govt.nz   

Each year we set aside up to $200,000 for property and water rates remissions to provide support to low-income ratepayers (including on behalf of tenants) who are facing tough times financially.

Rates ongoing financial assistance

This is a rates remission of up to $300 for residential properties, or $150 for license to occupy properties within a retirement village, for ratepayers who are facing either long-term or temporary financial difficulty. Assistance could be available to ratepayers who are paying more than 5% of their net household income on Council rates after any Government Rate Rebate has been taken into account.

Applications are open from 1 January, until funding has been fully subscribed or 30 June each year, whichever occurs first.

You can find the full criteria for this assistance on page 9 of the Rates Remission Policy. 

Rates temporary financial assistance

This rates remission can provide up to $300 per rateable property for ratepayers who have experienced hardship due to repair of water leaks, a serious health issue, or essential housing maintenance. You can download the 2020/21 application form to complete.

You can find the full criteria for this assistance on page 10 of the Rates Remission Policy.  

Families with high water use getting Working for Families tax credits

We offer a water rates remission to provide support to vulnerable households. You could qualify if you get the tax credit and:

• pay water rates as a property owner or tenant and
• have two or more dependants (18 years or younger) living at your property and
• have total water charges from 1 July 2019 to 30 April 2020 of more than $311.

Applications will be open from 1 May to 30 June each year.  

You can find the full criteria for this assistance on page 10 of the Rates Remission Policy

For more information, visit Water rates remissions for large families with high water use. 

Other rates remissions

Remission of a late payment penalty

When rate payments (property or water) haven’t been received by the penalty date, remission of the late payment penalty could be provided. This is determined on a case-by-case basis where it’s considered fair and equitable to do so, on receipt of a written application from the ratepayer.

Full criteria are outlined on page 6 of the Rates Remission Policy

Rates relief for residential rating units containing two separately habitable units

This is remission of a second targeted rate for community facilities, roading and water supply where a rating unit contains two habitable units and the second unit is either a consented family flat or a minor flat with a floor area les than 60m2 in a rural zone or a floor area less than 54m2 in an urban zone. Where (A) the second unit is used only for family or friends or where (B) the second unit is rented out for less than one month each year.  Applications must be received by 30th June each year to be considered for the next rating year.

Full criteria are outlined on page 8 of the Rates Remission Policy

Rates postponement due to extreme financial hardship

This may be applied for where all of the following criteria are met:

• the property is the ratepayer’s sole or principal place of residence
• there is still the required equity in the property
• at least one ratepayer must be either:
  • 65 years or older
  • having financial difficulties or unusual circumstances.

All financial and administrative costs will be added to the postponed rates.

Full criteria are outlined on page 4 of the Rates Remission Policy

Remission for council community properties, sporting, recreation and other community organisations

This is a remission of 50 percent of Kāpiti Coast District Council rates on Council-owned properties that are used exclusively or mainly for community purposes, sporting recreation, or land that’s owned and occupied by a charitable organisation and used exclusively or mainly for sporting, recreation or other community purposes.

This excludes water and wastewater where relief is provided by lower targeted rates.

Full criteria are outlined on page 5 of the Rates Remission Policy

Remission for sporting, recreation and other community organisations leasing private property for longer than one year

This is a remission of 50 percent of Kāpiti Coast District Council rates on properties leased by a charitable organisation for at least one year, which are used exclusively or mainly for sporting, recreation or other community purposes.

This excludes water and wastewater where relief is provided by lower targeted rates.

Full criteria are outlined on page 5 of the Rates Remission Policy

Remission and postponement of rates on Māori freehold land

A remission or postponement on all or some of Kāpiti Coast District Council rates levied on Māori freehold land may be applied for, if the relevant criteria is met.

Full criteria are outlined on page 2 of the Rates Remission Policy

Remission for land protected for natural or cultural conservation purposes

A remission may be applied for regarding part of the Kāpiti Coast District Council rates for land protected for natural or cultural conservation purposes.

Applications must be in writing and provide documentary evidence of the protected status of the rating unit.

Full criteria are outlined on page 7 of the Rates Remission Policy

Criteria – Rates remission for conservation purposes

Application form – Rates remission for conservation purposes

Postponement of rates for actively farmed farmland located in the urban rating area of the District

The ratepayer must apply in writing before the start of the financial year (30 June); the rating unit must be an economic farming unit of 10 hectares or more, is actively farmed and is also the primary source of income for the property owner or the farming business.

Postponement applies to Kāpiti Coast District Council rates only.

Full criteria are outlined on page 3 of the Rates Remission Policy.