Nelson City Council

Council's financial year runs from 1 July to 30 June. Rates are invoiced in four equal installments and the invoice is due for payment in the middle month of each quarter.

Installments

You must pay your rates before the last day for payment to avoid the 10% penalty.

Single annual payment

The option to pay annual rates in one payment instead of by instalments is available. Under this option you may either:

1. Pay the full year's rates by 27 August to receive a discount or
2. Pay the full year's rates by 27 November to have the first Installment penalty waived.

For those taking option 2 only the first Installment penalty is waived as no discount is available after 27 August.

You can pay rates by:

1. Cash, EFT-POS or cheque payments

Cash, EFT-POS or cheque payments can be made at any of Council's offices. Cheque payments sent by post should be addressed to: Nelson City Council, P O Box 645, Nelson 7040.

2. Telephone and Internet Banking

This method of payment enables you to pay your rates from home. It is very important, however, that we receive the correct references with your payment so that we can credit the payment to your rate account. Please ask our staff to assist when setting up any electronic payments. Find out more about internet banking.

3. Rates Easy Pay

Easy Pay is a direct debit system that allows you to pay your rates automatically from your bank account. Payments can be made weekly, fortnightly, monthly, quarterly or annually. It ensures your rates accounts are paid on time and for the correct amount. Once a year when your annual rate amount changes Council will advise you of the new payment amount (this does not occur for those paying by direct credit). If the due date falls on a non-business day, the payment will be made on the evening of the next business day. Rates Easypay covers both Nelson City Council rates and water payments if requested.

How to join Rates EasyPay

Complete a Rates EasyPay form:

• Download the EasyPay form (PDF @ 360KB). You can type into the form or print it out and return it signed to us; or
• Email us - rates@ncc.govt.nz and we will post out an Easypay form

When you join the Rates Easypay system you will receive a letter confirming your payment amounts, commencement date and frequency of your payments.

On payment days, the money you owe will be automatically paid out of your bank account. All transactions will show up on your regular bank account statement. The Council will amend the amounts debited from your account each year without further action on your part. You will be notified of all changes in advance.

To make changes to your direct debit

Once set up on direct debit this can be altered by contacting us. The most common reasons are:

• Change of bank account: When changing any bank account (even if just the suffix) details a new direct debit form needs to be completed, signed and sent to us for action.
• Cancel a direct debit: Contact us no later than 2 working days before the payment is due.
• Stop one direct debit and transfer to a new property (buying and selling a property): If the bank account details are the same as the existing direct debit we can transfer the direct debit to a new property.
• Add a new property to an existing direct debit: If the bank account details are the same as the existing direct debit we can add a new property this.
• Change direct debit payment frequency: Contact us and we can amend this for you.

4. By credit card online.

You can pay your rates (and water) bill online via Westpac and a secure interface. There is a fee associated with this. Pay your rates online.

Penalties

Penalties are charged for late payments and/or if instalments are not paid in full. If you are paying rates by Automatic Payment please ensure that the amount due is paid in full by the due date - otherwise penalties will be incurred.

To avoid penalties payments Council recommends payment by direct debit in which Council manages the payment of your rates on your behalf. All changes to your payment details will be advised to you in writing before implementing.

Pursuant to Sections 57 & 58 of the Local Government (Rating) Act 2002, the council delegates authority to the Chief Financial Officer to apply the following penalties on unpaid rates (including water charges) at their discretion:

• a first additional charge of 10% of the amount of each rate instalment remaining unpaid on the penalty date as shown on each rate instalment notice.
• a second additional charge of 10% will be added to any balance remaining outstanding from a previous rating year (including penalties previously charged) as at 31 December
• a further additional charge of 10% will be added to any balance remaining outstanding from a previous rating year (including penalties previously charged) as at 30 June
• The above penalties will not be charged where Council has agreed to a program for payment of outstanding rates.

Additional Charge On Arrears Of Rates

Rates are a charge on the land therefore only one rate account can be in existence for each piece of land at any one time.

If you have recently purchased a property and arrears appear on the rate account, either contact your Solicitor and advise the Council.

An additional 10% penalty will be charged six monthly on all previous years' arrears still unpaid by 31 Dec and 30 June.

Overdue Accounts

If your rate account is in arrears it is important that you contact the rates office as soon as possible to discuss payment arrangements. By making contact as soon as possible you may be able to minimise penalty charges and quickly bring your account up to date. Please do not wait until the penalty date before making enquiries!

Penalty Remission

In accordance with Council's rate remission policy, the council will approve the remission of the penalty levied on instalment one due to late payment provided the total annual rates are paid in full by 27 November. If full payment of the annual rates is not paid by 27 November the penalties relating to the four instalments will apply.

Unpaid Metered Water Rates

Council will impose a ten per cent penalty on all metered water rates which remain unpaid following the last date for payment.

Contacts for rates enquiries

You can contact Council's Rates Office on +64 3 546 0207, Fax +64 3 546 0392 or e-mail rates@ncc.govt.nz

You can also contact the Council offices which operate a 24 hour, seven days a week phone service on 546 0200.

Nelson City Council
Civic House
PO Box 645
110 Trafalgar Street
Nelson
Phone 546 0200 (all hours)
Fax: 546 0239
enquiry@ncc.govt.nz