Rates are set by the Annual or Long-term Plan.
The Council then uses property values to allocate the rates it needs to collect between all ratepayers — it doesn’t collect more rates just because values have increased, and it doesn’t collect less rates if values have decreased.
This year, we’ll update your property value based on what Quotable Value estimate your property would have sold for on September 1, 2024. The valuations do not include chattels.
The new rating valuation won’t come into effect for rating until 1 July 2025, so it has no impact on your rates for the current financial year.
Wellington City Council will use these valuations as a guide for setting your rates — but it’s important to keep in mind that a change in the rateable value of your property does not necessarily mean rates will change by a similar percentage or in a similar direction.
Rating valuations are not intended to be used for any other purpose, or as sales data.
To provide fair transparent property rates, we use standard rating valuations governed by the Rating Valuation Act 1998 and audited by the Office of the Valuer-General.
How do rating valuations affect rates?
Rating valuations help us work out everyone’s share of rates, but it doesn’t increase the total amount of rates we collect. We don’t collect more rates just because values have increased, and we don’t collect less rates if values have decreased.
Think of the total amount the Council needs to collect from rates as a pie. Once set by the Annual Plan or Long-term Plan, the size of the pie doesn’t change, but the way we cut the pie depends on the value of all properties. Your property’s valuation affects how big your slice of the pie is.
This means, for example, if your valuation has decreased it doesn't necessarily mean your rates will decrease as well.
Any effect of the rating valuation on the rates you pay will not take effect until 1 July 2025.
The actual rates for each property will depend on a range of factors, including:
To see a property valuation, use Property Search and use the search tool to find your property’s rates and valuation details.
What if I disagree with the valuation you gave my home?
If owners do not agree with their rating valuation, they have a right to object through QV. Objections must be in writing and can be lodged online at qv.co.nz.
You may also phone QV on 0800 786 822 to discuss your rating valuation values.
Any objection needs to include the following details:
I objected to my current valuation – can I hold off paying rates until this is sorted?
No. Council is obliged under legislation to set the rates on the values that are on the District Valuation Roll and rates are still payable regardless of any outstanding objections. Once your objection is settled, and if the values change, an amended rates assessment reflecting the change in valuation will be sent out. If your rates decreased, we could then refund any overpayment, or the credit can be applied to your next instalment.
What's the timeline for the property valuation process?
September 2024: Rating Valuation starts.
November 2024: Audit by Valuer-General.
Mid-December 2024: Release of valuation results.
February 2025: (Objection period) Approximately six weeks after the valuation results are released, likely mid to late February 2025. Exact dates will be confirmed once updated valuation notices are sent out in December.
March-June 2025: Objection results to be communicated to individual ratepayers.