Follow  these  pointers  to obtain rates clearance certificates hassle free:

Buying and selling real estate entails much paper work and most important is obtaining a rates clearance certificate as a seller  cannot  sell  his/her   property legally without one. 

Applications for rates clearance certificates are handled by a conveyancer (attorney) and not by the seller.

The Municipality will only issue a clearance certificate once it has received a completed prescribed application form, together with all required documentation from the conveyancer. However, the seller remains responsible for paying all costs incurred in this regard, as well as for settling any outstanding amounts owed to the municipality.

Rates clearance applications for properties without any improvements require an initial inspection by the Fire Department before the conveyancer is notified of any outstanding amounts payable. Should the vacant stand be declared a fire hazard, a plot-clearing deposit will be added to the advance collections, unless the property is cleared, re-inspected and declared fire-hazard free by the Fire Department. The plot-clearing administration fee is
R1 100 plus the actual cost of clearing the plot, which will be levied as per Tender No 1481/2014. 

The cost for manual applications via  e-mail  or  fax  for rates clearance certificates, plus valuation certificates amounts to R451. The cost for electronic applications via Korbitec or L@W amounts to R144 (therefore a cheaper option). Make sure your attorney applies online to obtain rates clearance certificates.

On the sale of any property within Overstrand’s jurisdiction, Council will delay the transfer of a property by withholding a clearance certificate until such time as all rates, service and sundry charges and any estimated amounts payable on the property for the duration of the validity of the certificate, are settled in full.

The validity period of a rates clearance certificate is 90 days and the amount due for payment will include 4 (four) months’ advance collections plus all current outstanding debt on the property.

Upon receipt of the duly completed rates clearance application form, the Municipality has 10(ten) working days to forward the amount due for payment and a further 10(ten) working days  to  produce  the rates clearance certificate once proof of payment has been established.

Where  a debtor has entered into an arrangement with the Municipality in respect of the arrears  on  a  property,  the prescribed certificate as referred to in Section 118 of the Systems Act, will not be issued until such time as the full outstanding amount has been settled.

Sellers are also reminded to ensure that disconnection forms are  duly completed where properties are equipped with water and/or electricity meters, so that these can be transferred to the new owner (the buyer). Similarly, buyers of properties that are equipped with water and/or electricity meters, are reminded to complete connection forms. These forms are available on their website. Go to www.overstrand.gov.za, click on Documents, click on Forms, click on Revenue Application Forms.

For queries, ring the Municipality on 028 313 8000 and ask for the Rates and Data Control Office. Alternatively fax your query to 028 312 1894 or send an email to enquiries@overstrand.gov.za.

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