Government

Good news for pensioners living in Johannesburg

Caitlyn Hilliard-Lomas

 ·4 Sep 2026

The City of Johannesburg has announced a significant extension of property rate rebates, allowing current pensioner beneficiaries to maintain their discounts until 30 June 2027 without reapplying. 

“The City of Johannesburg is pleased to inform pensioner homeowners who are currently receiving property rates rebates that they do not need to reapply for the benefit during the current financial year,” said the City of Johannesburg.

This initiative aims to reduce the administrative workload for senior citizens by automatically renewing existing relief measures for the remainder of the current valuation cycle.

While current recipients will continue to receive benefits, new applicants who have recently turned 60 must still submit the required documentation through official municipal channels.

Eligibility for the relief and the rebate percentage depend on factors such as age, monthly income, and the market value of the primary residence.

Specifically, individuals over the age of 70 may receive full relief up to a certain property value, regardless of their income, as long as their municipal accounts are in good standing.

“During the 2025/26 financial year, the City granted pensioner property rates rebates to 38 308 elderly homeowners, providing more than R329.8 million in rates relief between 1 July 2025 and 30 June 2026.”

City of Joburg Communications & Stakeholder Management in Group Finance Director  Kgamanyane Maphologela said that the extension is intended to reduce the administrative burden on elderly residents who already qualify for the benefit.

Property owners wishing to apply for the pensioner rebate can obtain and submit application forms via email, at customer service centres, and on city websites.

The application forms can be downloaded from the City of Johannesburg website under the applicable property rates and rebates section. 

Maphologela said that pensioner rebate applications are subject to the requirements and conditions contained in the City’s applicable Rates Policy. 

“Applications will only be processed where the applicant’s municipal account is not in arrears, unless an approved payment arrangement is in place or a formal dispute has been lodged,” said Maphologela.

When a customer defaults on an approved payment arrangement, the City may withdraw the corresponding rebate in accordance with its policies.

For pensioners aged between 60 and 69 years old, applicants must meet the following criteria:

• The applicant must own and personally occupy the property. 
• The applicable market value threshold is R1.5 million, inclusive of the residential threshold, on successful applications. 
• Rates are levied on the portion of the property’s market value exceeding R1.5 million. 
• Pensioners with a gross monthly income below R13,519 qualify for a 100% rebate, subject to a successful application and all applicable conditions. 
• Pensioners with a gross monthly income above R13,519 but below R23,172 qualify for a 50% rebate, subject to a successful application. 
• Pensioners with a gross monthly income above R23,172 do not qualify for the pensioner rebate under this category. 
• The pensioner rebate applies to one property only where an applicant owns more than one property. 
• Pensioners receiving a qualifying National Security Grant may qualify for a 100% rebate, subject to the applicable market value threshold and other qualifying conditions. “

For pensioners over 70 years old, they need to meet the following requirements:

• “The applicant must own and personally occupy the property. 
• The applicable market value threshold is R2 million, inclusive of the residential threshold, on successful applications. 
• Rates are levied on the portion of the property’s market value exceeding R2 million. 
• Qualifying pensioners aged 70 years and older receive a 100% rebate on rates, irrespective of income, up to the applicable R2 million market value threshold, subject to a successful application and compliance with all applicable conditions. 
• The pensioner rebate applies to one property only where an applicant owns more than one property. “

The City of Joburg has urged residents who are uncertain about their eligibility to seek information through official City channels and to ensure that all necessary supporting documentation is submitted when applying.