We will be supporting residents who are experiencing difficulty in paying rates because of the economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.
COVID-19 Rates Financial Hardship
We are here to support you and we are all in this together. Our Councillors endorsed a Response and Recovery Package to support residents and ratepayers including individuals, local businesses, local community groups and sporting clubs during COVID-19.
Our COVID-19 Rates Financial Hardship policy will apply to all properties within the City of Glen Eira.
Deferral of Rates
Ratepayers in financial hardship will be able to defer rate payments for more than 15 months with no interest charges for late or non-payment until 30 June 2021.
Hold on Interest
Our aim is to provide assistance to ratepayers through the COVID-19 event without creating additional financial stress when the pandemic has been resolved.
We will not levy interest on any outstanding debt for the period 16 March 2020 to 30 June 2021.
This will include interest on:
- Debt outstanding as at 16 March 2020, the date of declaration of the pandemic; and
- Any new debt accumulated from 16 March 2020 to 30 June 2021.
We encourage ratepayers who can continue to make payment (or part payment) of their rates to please do so. Nominal interest provisions will apply to any debt outstanding as at 1 July 2021.
Payment Plans
While we will encourage ratepayers to enter into a payment plan which would reduce the amount of debt owing by 30 June 2021, there is no obligation for a ratepayer to do so during the term of the pandemic.
Ratepayers who elect not to enter into a payment plan will accrue interest on any remaining outstanding debt as at 1 July 2021.
Rates Debt Recovery Process
Unless a payment plan is entered into, we will make reasonable attempts to contact a customer about their overdue account. This may include a reminder notice, debt letter, email or phone call.
We will not take any legal action for the collection of rates and charges between 16 March 2020 and 30 June 2021.
