GREEN POINT PENSIONERS

Ratepayers say soaring property valuations are pricing them out of their homes

- FOUZIA VAN DER FORT

A GREEN Point pensioner has raised alarm over the escalating property tariffs in the City of Cape Town, revealing that his home has experienced 32 valuation increases since he purchased it nearly 40 years ago.

Michael Wolffe, 84, accused the City of neglecting its senior citizens, particularly after it began using property values to determine water and sanitation tariffs and restructured the municipality's electricity tax.

Speaking at the Green Point Ratepayers’ and Residents’ Association (GPRRA) annual general meeting at Hamiltons Rugby Club last week, Wolffe said a staggering 46.8% increase in his rates.

“I've spent sleepless nights going through the facts. Checking the information. My income since 1987, when I bought a townhouse, has gone up seven times. The townhouse valuation has gone up 32 times,” he said, noting that he bought the property for R245 000, which is now valued between R7.6 million and R10m. “I’ve objected, but I still pay fixed charges on it,’ he added.

Wolffe cited America, where cities are caring for its elderly, “loyal citizens’, who have lived in the same house for a long time, where they cap the valuation of the properties.