Objecting to Queenstown Lakes District Council Rating Revaluations

Are you concerned about your property’s recent rating revaluation? Last week, Queenstown Lakes District property owners began receiving notices of the updated rating valuations for their properties.

The rating valuation is the estimated property value used by both Queenstown Lakes District Council and Otago Regional Council to determine the rates payable for your property. These new valuations will be used to set rates from 1 July 2025.

It's important to note that the rating valuations reflect the estimated price a property would have likely sold for as of 1 September 2024, excluding chattels. However, there is no in-person inspection included in this assessment. Instead, the revaluations are compiled based on the limited information available to Council, including the size of buildings, any consented improvements, sales history, and average building costs. As a result, factors such as the state of the property, quality of fixtures and fittings, or recent refurbishments may not be accounted for in the valuation.

Property owners should be aware that these rating valuations are not always aligned with true market values. This became particularly relevant following the 2011 Christchurch earthquakes, where the Government used rating valuations to assess compensation for red-zoned properties. Many property owners were disadvantaged because their rating valuations did not reflect the actual market value of their properties at the time. In situations where compensation or insurance payouts are tied to these valuations, it’s crucial that your property’s valuation remains as close as possible to current market values.

Importantly, if you disagree with your property’s rating valuation, you have the right to object. An objection must be submitted by 24 April 2025, along with evidence supporting your claim that the valuation is incorrect, such as an independent valuation.

If you would like to learn more about the process and or seek assistance with filing an objection, please don’t hesitate to contact your Todd & Walker lawyer, or otherwise contact us on +64 3 441 2743 or [email protected].