Cape Town pensioners: apply for rates relief by 30 November
Cape Town homeowners aged 60+ on a pension or grant with household income up to R27,000 a month must apply or reapply for rates relief by 30 November 2026. Here's who qualifies, what to submit and why your bill stays high until approval.
Cape Town homeowners aged 60 or older who live on a pension or social grant have until 30 November 2026 to apply for property rates relief. Everyone who already gets the rebate must reapply this year because of the City's 2025 General Valuation, and approved relief is backdated to 1 July (City of Cape Town).
Who qualifies for the pensioner rates rebate?
You must be the registered owner of a residential property, be 60 or older, and depend on a pension or social grant. The rebate depends on the gross monthly income of everyone living on the property (City of Cape Town).
| Gross monthly household income | Rates rebate |
|---|---|
| R10,000 or less | 100% |
| R10,001 to R27,000 | 10% to 90%, depending on income |
| Above R27,000 | No pensioner rebate |
Source: City of Cape Town.
The City says the same relief is now open to life right holders in sectional title schemes that are valued separately (City of Cape Town).
Why is my bill higher while I wait?
Until your application is approved, the City charges full rates. Once it is processed, you get a credit on a later account, because the benefit is backdated to 1 July (City of Cape Town). A full charge while you wait does not mean your application failed (CTNews).
Approved relief stays valid until 30 June 2029, so you won't need to reapply for three years (City of Cape Town).
What documents do I need?
The City asks you to declare and prove all sources of income (City of Cape Town):
- private pension income
- investments and dividends
- your SASSA grant slip or confirmation letter
- proof of income for you and your spouse or partner
- bank statements for the past three months for every account you hold
You also need copies of the ID of the owner and spouse or partner. Extra documents apply if the property is in a trust, a close corporation, or has several owners (City of Cape Town).
How do I apply?
Get the form at a City walk-in centre, download it from the City's rebate page, or send "Hi" on WhatsApp to the City's Hello RITA chat line on 060 042 5572 (City of Cape Town).
Submit it in one of these ways (City of Cape Town):
- hand it in at your nearest City walk-in centre
- email it to [email protected]
- apply through the City's e-Services portal, after registering
- post it to Department: Revenue, Civic Centre, 12 Hertzog Boulevard, PO Box 655, Cape Town 8000
For questions, call the City on 0860 103 089 (City of Cape Town).
Is this the same as indigent relief?
No. Indigent support is a separate programme with its own rules for low-income households (CTNews). Reported explained it here.
FAQ
What is the deadline for Cape Town's pensioner rates rebate?
30 November 2026. Approved rebates are backdated to 1 July 2026 and stay valid until 30 June 2029.
What is the income limit for the pensioner rates rebate?
A gross monthly household income of up to R27,000. At R10,000 or less you may get a 100% rebate, and between R10,001 and R27,000 a rebate of 10% to 90%.
I already get the rebate. Do I have to apply again?
Yes. The City says all pensioner and social grant benefits must be renewed after the 2025 General Valuation.
Where do I send my rates rebate application?
Hand it in at a City walk-in centre, email it to [email protected], use e-Services, or post it to the City's Revenue Department.