Auckland Council maintains its commitment to equitable rates distribution, aiming to ensure a balanced funding approach for its services through a comprehensive rating policy.

The council's dedication to consistent treatment of all ratepayers across Auckland is evident in its meticulous adherence to the rating policy outlined in the 2023/2024 Annual Budget.

The policy underscores the necessity for an accurate and fair assessment of each rating unit.

One unique aspect of this approach is how serviced apartments are rated.

Rhonwen Heath, the Head of Rates Valuations & Data Management at Auckland Council, emphasizes the importance of ongoing communication between the council and property owners or managers.

While the council diligently reviews and verifies data, it acknowledges that property statuses may change over time.

To keep usage information up-to-date, the council actively encourages property owners, bodies corporate, and managers to communicate changes promptly.

Proactive measures are taken to ensure accuracy, including annual inquiries with serviced apartment managers to identify properties that should be designated as residential rather than commercial.

Managers, often well-versed in the utilization of apartment units within their buildings, play a pivotal role in identifying commercial usage.

The council also relies on input from body corporates to ensure clarity regarding the use of serviced apartments in hotel pools.

Upon receipt of evidence supporting residential use, such as utility bills in an owner's name, the council can adjust the designation accordingly.

The rates team prioritizes these requests to provide swift resolution and ensure equitable treatment of customers.

A cornerstone of the council's approach is the principle of fair and equal treatment for ratepayers.

Regular updates and reviews of rating information contribute to the accuracy of the council's rating database.

This proactive strategy enhances the consistency and fairness of rates allocation for all residents of Auckland.

The council's rates policy specifies that serviced apartments are subject to non-residential rates unless credible proof of residential usage is presented.

In response to post-COVID challenges, the council initiated an enhanced proactive approach, engaging hotel "pool managers" to provide comprehensive usage details for all apartments.

This initiative revealed that a significant number of serviced apartments lacked proper classification.

To address this issue, the council embarked on an outreach campaign to rectify misclassifications, resulting in almost 2,000 serviced apartments receiving a classification of "unknown" due to unresponsive contacts.

Correspondence and follow-up efforts were conducted throughout April and May to ensure accurate categorization.

For serviced apartment owners who believe their rates have been inaccurately charged, Rhonwen reassures them that the rates team is committed to resolving queries promptly.

Affected individuals are encouraged to contact [email protected] for assistance.

Additional information and guidance can be accessed on the council's official website.