MEDIA RELEASE 6 November 2006 City's Revenue & Customer Relations Management department highlights key issues though City Buzz newsletter City Buzz, the customer newsletter sent out by the Revenue & Customer Relations Management Department, aims to keep its customers updated on key issues that directly impact them on a regular basis. The November issue looks at the following topics: Landlords remain responsible for their tenants' accounts How to appeal the outcome of a billing query Reathusa Municipal Account Scheme ends 31st December Get unwarranted interest charges on your account reversed Remember to pay your accounts before you go on holiday How to apply for an outstanding refund Absa's new Speed Banking makes paying your account even easier Know your meter reading company and when they will next read your meter FAQs in the City deal with: When I bought my property I only used it for residential purposes. Now I want to run a business from there. What should I do? You must apply for a change of zoning. Contact the Town Planning Department on the 9th floor, Metro Centre, Loveday St, Braamfontein or call them on (011) 407 6111. Once the rezoning has taken place your property will be revalued. This process takes a few months. In the interim, you will stop paying the residential tariff on your property and immediately start paying the business tariff. If there is a change in this tariff once your revalued figures are available, the difference will be calculated and your account will reflect a credit or debit. If you rezone from business use to residential use: As the property will be used for residential purposes, you are eligible for the residential rebate for assessment rates. For the rebate to apply, you must apply to the Council. Until the rebate is approved, the amount you pay in your assessment rates will be the same. What happens if I dispute my clearance figures? If you have issues with the clearance figures supplied on your account, you must log a query with Joburg Connect at (011) 375 5555 to resolve the problem. The Clearance Certificate department will review the figures. The reviewed figures will be available within 5 working days and the Clearance Certificate department will re-issue the statement with the details of how the figures were generated by the system. Only when all the queries on the account are resolved can transferring attorneys apply for a Clearance Certificate. What happens to an account when the account holder dies? The account must be settled in full and then closed. A letter must be sent to our Legal Department informing them that the account holder is deceased. The letter should have the deceased's full name and surname, or a copy of the deceased's Death Certificate, together with a letter from the Master of the Supreme Court, the municipal account number, and your certificate of appointment as executer, and the process with our Credit Control Legal department will begin upon receipt of the letter. The completed documents can be hand delivered to Thuso House, 61 Stiemens Street, Braamfontein, any municipal People's Center, or faxed to (011) 358 3267. How do I apply for a debit order? Debit orders are one of the easiest and safest ways to ensure that your account is paid in full and on time every month. Application forms can be faxed, emailed or posted to you. You can also download a copy from the website, or go to one of the nearest People's Centres. To cancel your debit order you must write a cancellation letter. This letter must contain: your municipal account number the date you want the debit order (ACB) facility to be cancelled your full bank account details (i.e. bank name, bank account number and bank branch code) and your signature You can send this letter: Via fax, to the fax number (011) 358 3044 or (011) 358 3843 Via scan and email to cashcollections@joburg.org.za By hand to your nearest municipality People's Centre Where do I find my electricity meter? Your power meter will normally be located on the wall close to your front boundary line, set in a meter box. Meter location details are also available from City Power. If you are unsure please call Joburg Connect on (011) 375 5555. I have just bought a property. Do I have to have my own water account with Johannesburg Water, or can I inherit the previous owner's account? Each customer within Johannesburg should have his or her own water and electricity account. A person cannot inherit an existing water and electricity account from a previous owner or tenant of a property. REMEMBER: If you continue to make payments into someone else's account that you have inherited, that money will accrue to them, not to you, as the account is not in your name. Should you wish to receive this newsletter online please email your details to citybuzz@joburg.org.za. ENDS Issued by: Mandy Jean Woods Acting Director Customer Communications Phone: 082 553 4211 (please send sms if urgent)