Frequently Asked Questions
1. Why do residents pay for municipality services?
Municipalities collect fees for the usage of services such as electricity, refuse collection, and water and sanitation services. The resources are spent on the planning, construction, running, and maintenance of the services provided.
2. Who is responsible for the payment of municipal rates?
All immovable property owners are liable for the payment of rates. Therefore, all property owners, including commercial, residential (homes), agriculture, government, etc, are included in the definition of property.
3. Where can I pay my municipal bill?
The most convenient method for you and the City is to pay by debit order. Special Debit Order forms are available from any of the Customer Service Centres. You can pay City accounts at any ATM machine. Take a copy of your municipal accounts slip into your bank and ask to have the account linked to your ATM card.
Rates are payable monthly. As a property owner, you should make sure that the City has your current postal address so that you receive your account on time. Even if you do not receive a statement, you are still liable to pay your rates.
The city has arranged a variety of quick and easy options for you to pay your rates and municipal services accounts: https://www.joburg.org.za/departments_/Pages/Link pages/Paying-Accounts.aspx
4. How do I check my City of Johannesburg statement?
To receive your statements via email, you need to register with the City’s e-Joburg website via the e-Joburg link on the City of Johannesburg’s homepage. You will be asked to enter certain personal information and to choose a username and password. Then you can log on using your username and password.
5. What if I don’t pay my bills?
Accounts with a debt older than 30 days, will receive a final demand notice as well as a courteous call by a Credit Controller. Customers will be informed of the overdue debt and the risk involved should the account not be paid in full or an arrangement made to pay off the outstanding debt.
If no payment is received after 14 days of the warning notice being posted, Johannesburg Water may: Restrict the flow of water for domestic use.
Settling overdue accounts after services are disconnected
In the event that services have been removed, you will have to make full payment of the outstanding balance and show your proof of payment before services will be reconnected.
All accounts have to be paid in cash at Thuso House Customer Service Centre, 61 Jorisson Street, Braamfontein. A Clearance Certificate for services must be obtained from the Credit Management department to enable the customer to re-apply for the services at the utilities.
If you can’t pay the amount in full you must make an arrangement to pay the amount off over time. You must then come in person to one of the Customer Service Centres in Braamfontein, Roodepoort, Randburg, Sandton or Midrand, to make an arrangement.
Once payment has been made, or an arrangement has been set up, call the Joburg Connect call centre on 0860 562 874 to register your payment and to get a reference number.
Fax proof of payment, with your reference number, to 011 358 3164. Call back in 30 minutes to confirm if your reconnection has been processed.
Reconnection of services can take up to 72 hours. Proof of payment received before 4.30pm will ensure same-day processing, otherwise it will take place the next day.
If no payment has been made after the restriction or disconnection, the account will be handed over to an Attorney to issue an urgent summons for the recovery of the outstanding debt.