Council, under legislation, is obligated to offer all ratepayers the opportunity to pay rates in four (4) instalments.
These payments will be due by no later than 5pm on the:
- 11 September 2026
- 11 December 2026
- 12 March 2027
- 11 June 2027
Rate instalment notices will be sent at least 30 days prior to the due date. Rates may be paid in advance at any time.
As an incentive for early payment, a 2% discount will apply on the full payment of annual Council rates, if paid by the 12 September 2026.
Late payment of rates
Under the Local Government Act 1999, Councils are permitted to impose a penalty of 2% on the amount of rates due if payment is late.
Interest, as prescribed in the Local Government Act 1999, will be applied monthly to any outstanding balance (including interest) from that point onwards.
If late payment penalties have been applied and you wish to request these be waived, you must submit a written request, addressed to the CEO.
When Council receives a payment in respect of overdue rates, Council applies the money received as follows:
- first - to satisfy any costs awarded in connection with court proceedings;
- second - to satisfy any interest costs;
- third - in payment of any fines imposed;
- fourth - in payment of rates, in date order of their imposition (starting with the oldest account first).
In the absence of payment or communication from the ratepayer, the matter may be escalated to a debt collection agency. Please note that legal fees may be incurred as part of this process.
Sale of land for non-payment of rates
The Local Government Act 1999 provides that a Council may sell any property where the rates have been in arrears for three years or more. The Council is required to provide the principal ratepayer and the owner (if not the same person) with details of the outstanding amounts and advise the owner of its intention to sell the land if payment of the outstanding amount is not received within one month.
The District Council of Cleve only considers such action as a last resort if more acceptable solutions are not available.