Property Valuations
Council rates are based on property values, are a form of property taxation rather than a fee for service and depend upon property values. Valuations play an important part in determining how much each ratepayer will pay on a property.
Valuations are set by the Office of the Valuer-General based on its assessment of the value of the property on 1 January of each year, which are then provided to the Council in May to be used for setting rates for the coming financial year.
Objecting to a property value - Office of the Valuer - General
Ratepayers can object to a valuation if they believe it is inaccurate, and must lodge an objection with the Office of the Valuer-General within 60 days of receiving the first rates notice for the financial year. Council cannot alter valuations.
Through the Office of the Valuer-General, any property owner or occupier who does not agree with their property valuation may lodge an objection to have the valuation reviewed.
A property owner or occupier who remains dissatisfied with the outcome of their objection decision can apply for a review of the objection decision within 21 days following receipt of the objection decision provided by the Valuer-General. A review can be undertaken by an independent review valuer (known as the Review by Valuer process) or by the South Australian Civil and Administrative Tribunal (SACAT).
The Review by Valuer process is an independent semi-judicial process. The Registrar will act as a mediator between the applicant and the Valuer-General in an administrative capacity.
Qualified valuers analyse property sales and market trends that occur between the General Valuation to determine levels of value.