QLD Councils chargingextra rates for investors

[handyandy]

QLD Councils charging extra rates for investors

Some investors could be receiving rate refunds

The Queensland Supreme Court has struck out the differential rate some Queensland councils charge investors over and above residents on similar properties. Councils may be forced to pay it all back. $300 million a year is in doubt.
This landmark decision exposes the folly at least 19 Queensland councils have indulged in. They are clueless on the economic cost willfully imposed on ratepayers.
The Local Government Association of Queensland is working on an appeal. Some councils have had this cross-subsidy in place for 20 years, so unwinding it will be, ahem, expensive.


http://www.macrobusiness.com.au/2014/05/qlds-local-government-gouge-exposed/

 

[pinkboy]

Some investors could be receiving rate refunds

The Queensland Supreme Court has struck out the differential rate some Queensland councils charge investors over and above residents on similar properties. Councils may be forced to pay it all back. $300 million a year is in doubt.
This landmark decision exposes the folly at least 19 Queensland councils have indulged in. They are clueless on the economic cost willfully imposed on ratepayers.
The Local Government Association of Queensland is working on an appeal. Some councils have had this cross-subsidy in place for 20 years, so unwinding it will be, ahem, expensive.


http://www.macrobusiness.com.au/2014/05/qlds-local-government-gouge-exposed/

There has been a couple of threads on this a couple of weeks ago.

pinkboy

 

[NedKelly]

This is great news! Why should the poor investor be rorted.

 

[norwoodman]

It's going to be interesting to see how this is enforced. Some councils do it by special category which charges investors more, while others do it by offering "concessions" to owner occupiers and pensioners.

 

[Nattl3s]

Just checked my IP rate notice -charged in general category 29 - so i checked the website - 0.74 general rate cent in $ as opposed to 0.65 for low rise units non-principal versus principal place of residence. Interesting, did not know investors were charged more.

 

[DizzyStuff]

Logan city council definitely charges more for non owner occupied residential properties.

 

[norwoodman]

List of affected councils:

http://www.propertyobserver.com.au/...cils-charging-higher-rates-for-investors.html