Approximately half the refuse collected by Council was recyclable.

A large portion of the bins were under-utilised and over-collected.

The tenants were encouraged to participate in a “green” initiative through recycling. Additional marked bins were provided. Wood, paper and glass recycling companies were contacted by Venn and agreed to remove these products at no cost.

The number of municipal bins and collections was then optimized.
The net result was a saving of approximately R 25 000 per month.

Venn’s valuators and legal experts conducted a specialised investigation into the Rates Act and the legality of Municipal Rates Bylaws, with emphasis on their application for subsidized housing. It was found that subsidized student hostels were included under the same category as “hotels” and thus the commercial tariff was applied.

Venn presented a compelling argument to the municipalities concerned and they agreed that this practice was intrinsically unfair and never intended. The bylaw was subsequently changed to permit de-facto hostels to benefit from the cheaper domestic tariff.

The application of the domestic tariff resulted in these institutions achieving a rates charge reduction of R 440 000 per month and a refund of R 2.1 million.

The institution was being charged for estimated readings on two meters, both of which were never read due to being in the middle of the road and covered by a large steel structure. Venn’s analysis showed that the water volume charged was impossible given the usage and occupancy levels. A pipe network trace confirmed no cross supply to other consumers and the leak detection survey found no substantive wastage.

Venn liaised with the municipality to remove the steel structure in the road via crane, so that the meters could be inspected and readings taken. It was found that one of the meters was a municipal fire hydrant supply with zero consumption while the other supply meter had been consistently over-estimated. Venn arranged for the municipality to move the supply meters to an accessible location at municipal expense.

The client received a R 1.4 million refund in water and related sewer charges and achieved an ongoing cost reduction of R 55 000 per month.

The institution’s buildings are constructed over numerous un-consolidated erven, each receiving a rates account based on an improvement and land valuation. Venn detected that many of the improvement values were duplicated on the various property rates valuations and thus the rates charges were based on double-counting.

Venn lodged a rates objection, which was declined. Venn obtained the decision reasons and proved the incorrectness of the municipal valuation methodology to the municipal valuator. Venn appealed and the municipal valuator gave evidence in support of the appeal.

The client received a refund of R 700 000 and the institution’s total rates payable was reduced by R 45 000 per month.

Municipal bylaws allow senior citizens who are independent and self-sufficient to be charged domestic water and sewerage charges.

However, frail care facilities in retirement homes - many run by churches and charities - were being regarded by the Council as “hospitals” and thus the more expensive, commercial water and sewerage tariffs were applied.

As a result of Venn’s specialised appeal process and ability to work with the Council, a subsidized Frail Care Tariff was introduced, thereby reducing the burden on charitable organisations and their pensioners.