 | Drakenstein Municipality’s new property rates relief measures come into effect
31 July 2025 | Press Releases |
31 July 2025
Following a recent sharp overall increase in the Drakenstein property market value, Drakenstein Municipality is taking steps to protect its homeowners from an equally sharp increase in their new property rates which came into effect on 1 July 2025.
During the Municipality's latest round of property valuations, concluded earlier this year, it became evident that the area's property values rose sizeably – on average between 50% and 60% - over the last five years.
To prevent Drakenstein property owners' property rates from skyrocketing with the implementation of the new General Valuation Roll on 1 July 2025, the Municipality has started to apply a series of property rates relief measures, including:
- Residential property rates capping: The Municipality is capping the property rates of residential property owners at a maximum increase of 12.5%, from the previous rates payable.
- Pensioner rebates: Property owners aged 60 years and older automatically qualify for a 5% rebate, as well as an additional rate reduction of 10% upon proof that their monthly income is less than R35 000.
- Increased impermissible rates component: The Municipality is increasing the impermissible rates component from a property value of R220 000 in the 2024/25 financial year to R350 000 in 2025/26 financial year. This means that owners of properties valued at less than R350 000 won't have to pay property taxes from 1 July 2025 onwards.
- Agricultural property capping: The Municipality is capping agricultural property owners' property rates at a 50% increase.
PLEASE NOTE: This residential and agricultural capping will not apply to property owners whose property category changed between the current and previous financial years.
Drakenstein Municipality is proud to be the first municipality to implement a module of this kind to provide residents with property rates relief measures.
The Municipality has worked diligently to ensure a smooth and accurate rollout of the new property rating system, which will lead to a R56 million annual saving for Drakenstein property owners. These initiatives required extensive upgrades to the Municipality's financial systems, which the Municipality has tested and validated for accuracy during the implementation phase.
For more information regarding property rates, contact the Municipality at customercare@drakenstein.gov.za or 021 807 4500 during office hours.
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About Drakenstein Municipality
Located an hour's drive from Cape Town in the Western Cape province of South Africa, Drakenstein Municipality is one of the country's most financially sound, well-governed, stable and sustainable municipalities. The Municipality has been rated South Africa's number one secondary city and has, since 2011, achieved 10 clean audits. Boasting the largest economy in the Cape Winelands, Drakenstein is home to 311 601 residents and includes the historic Winelands towns of Paarl and Wellington.
Embodying its vision of “a city of excellence", the Municipality prides itself on providing its residents, businesses, investors and visitors with excellent services and well-maintained, advanced infrastructure. As Southern Africa's first self-declared Fair Trade City and the fourth in Africa, Drakenstein Municipality is serious about building a sustainable future, and has garnered various awards for its commitment to sustainable and environmentally conscious practices. Drakenstein is also recognised for having one of the highest growth potentials in the Western Cape. As a progressive business and investment region and a city geared for growth, it constantly attracts new development.
For more, visit https://www.drakenstein.gov.za/ or follow the Municipality on Facebook at @DrakensteinMunicipality, Instagram at @drakensteinmunicipality, LinkedIn at Drakenstein Municipality and YouTube at @DrakensteinMunicipality1.
Issued by: Communication and Marketing, Drakenstein Municipality
