Rates payments may be postponed if payment would create financial hardship. Postponement is effectively a loan from the council to the ratepayer, and qualification criteria apply.

Our Rates Postponement Policy is intended to help owner-occupiers, particularly those on a fixed income, to continue living in their homes when they do not have the financial capacity to to pay their rates, or where payment would create financial hardship.

Up to 100% of all rates charges may be postponed, including arrears owing from previous financial years.

Apply for rates postponement

Applications should be in writing, including sufficient information to demonstrate financial hardship and either emailed or posted to the addresses shown on the application form.  

Download and complete a rates postponement application form [PDF 1.4MB]
Apply

If your postponement is approved:

  • We will put a formal charge over the property, similar to a mortgage
  • Rates charges will continue to accrue, but will no longer be payable on the normal due dates
  • No late payment penalties will be applied, however, an annual fee will be added at the end of each rating year to recover our interest and administration costs.

All postponed amounts, including the added annual fees, will become payable when the property is sold or no longer used as the applicant's primary place of residence.