THE CITY VALUATIONS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 24530, 12 February 1941, Page 11

THE CITY VALUATIONS

TO THE EDITOR Sir, —I would like to take my stand beside “ Worried Ratepayer,” and raise my objection to the treatment meted out to us at the Valuation Office. My house is the oldest in the district over 60 years old —and is full of borer and dry rot. There is an absence of cupboards and other conveniences, yet this year my valuation has been increased in order to line it up with a house, 30 years old, next door. The reason given is the possession of a garage, which was built 14 years ago and yet this increase is made this year. I was told that the city valuer was the only one who could readjust matters for me, but was refused access to him on an excuse of sickness. This was also the excuse on my second visit. Certainly a form has been posted me, stating that the city valuer had considered the mauer and regretted his inability to accede to my request. Just how he could consider the matter when I was not allowed to put the matter before him, I fail to see. The only statement the assistants make is that “ they have no power to do anything in the matter.” The rental value of a house is said to be the basis of rateable value, but that can only be proved by letting the house. It is one thing to get a tenant to promise a certain rent; it is quite another matter to get the rent from a tenant, and in any case the rates would have to be paid on the amount the tenant promised, and not on what he actually paid. However, one looks at the matter, the owner of the house is at .he mercy of a tenant and the Valuation Department. Old age and ill health ought to be taken into account when an increase in value is made, especially when the value has in reality not Leen increased. I can fully endorse the statements by “ Worried Ratepayer ” regarding treatment at the office. The common statement heard there among applicants is, “ What are we to do? There is no chance whatever of getting justice here.” I was told there that it did not concern the staff where or how I got the money to pay the extra charge; it would have to be got somehow and was no concern of theirs.— I am, etc. Another Ratepayer. tWe have referred the subject of this correspondent’s complaint to the City Valuer’s office, and are informed that the increase in the valuation this year is due to extensive improvements having been made to the property,— Ed.. O.D.T.J TO THE EDITOR Sir, —I wish to endorse the remarks of a correspondent whose letter on the subject of the city valuations appeared in this morning’s issue. According to my idea, the practice of the members of the city valuer’s staff is to fight the ratepayers when they go to the office for information. is this what they are paid for? Is it not the ratepayers’ money that keeps them in their jobs?—l am, etc.. Ratepayer No. S.