Pictures and Source: City of Joburg
The City of Johannesburg has announced that pensioner homeowners who are already receiving property rates rebates will not be required to re-apply during the current financial year, with their existing benefits automatically extended until 30 June 2027.
The extension applies to pensioners who have already been approved under the current General Valuation Roll, GVR2023, and means qualifying beneficiaries will continue receiving property rates relief without having to complete another application process. The continuation of the rebate remains subject to the City’s applicable terms, conditions and Rates Policy.
According to the City, 38 308 elderly homeowners benefited from pensioner property rates rebates during the 2025/26 financial year. More than R329.8 million in rates relief was granted between 1 July 2025 and 30 June 2026, highlighting the scale of the programme and its financial support to qualifying senior citizens.
City of Johannesburg Director for Communications and Stakeholder Management in Group Finance, Kgamanyane Maphologela, said the automatic extension was introduced to make the process easier for elderly residents who already qualify.
“The City has removed the administrative burden on senior citizens who are already receiving pensioner property rates rebates under the current General Valuation Roll. Existing approved beneficiaries therefore do not need to re-apply for the rebate this year. Their rebates will continue until 30 June 2027, subject to the applicable conditions,” said Maphologela.
The City has, however, stressed that the automatic extension only applies to existing approved beneficiaries. Pensioners applying for the rebate for the first time, including homeowners who have recently turned 60 and meet the qualifying requirements, will still need to submit an application.
New applicants may request application forms by emailing ratescomments@joburg.org.za, visit a City of Johannesburg Customer Service Centre, or download the relevant forms from the City’s website under the property rates and rebates section.
Applications remain subject to the requirements contained in the City’s Rates Policy. The City said applications will only be processed where the applicant’s municipal account is up to date, unless an approved payment arrangement is in place or a formal dispute has been lodged.
Residents who default on an approved payment arrangement could also risk having their rebate withdrawn in line with City policies.
Who qualifies for the rebate?
For pensioners between the ages of 60 and 69, applicants must own and personally occupy the property. The applicable market value threshold is R1.5 million, inclusive of the residential threshold, and rates are charged on the portion of the property’s value exceeding R1.5 million.
Pensioners in this age category with a gross monthly income below R13 519 may qualify for a 100% rebate, provided their application is successful and all other conditions are met. Those earning more than R13 519 but less than R23 172 per month may qualify for a 50% rebate, while pensioners earning above R23 172 do not qualify under this category.
The rebate applies to only one property where a pensioner owns more than one property. Pensioners receiving a qualifying National Security Grant may also qualify for a 100% rebate, subject to the applicable property value threshold and other requirements.
Different provisions apply to pensioners aged 70 and older. They must also own and personally occupy the property, but the applicable market value threshold increases to R2 million.
Qualifying pensioners aged 70 and above may receive a 100% rebate on property rates, regardless of their income, up to the R2 million market value threshold. Rates are charged on the portion of the property’s market value exceeding R2 million, while the benefit is limited to one property where the applicant owns multiple properties.
The City has encouraged residents who are uncertain about whether they qualify to seek information through official City channels and ensure that all required supporting documents are submitted when applying for the first time.
For pensioners already receiving the rebate, however, no new application is required for the current financial year, and their approved property rates relief will remain in place until 30 June 2027, provided they continue meeting the relevant conditions.
