Rates Financial Assistance and Hardship

Maroondah City Council recognises that some ratepayers may from time to time experience either temporary or permanent financial difficulty and will follow best practice arrangements for the collection and recovery of rates and charges, including offering flexible payment arrangements when identified and when required.

Rates Financial Assistance and Hardship establishes and implements a consistent approach to the collection of property rates and charges that is in line with Council’s long-term community vision outlined in Maroondah 2040: Our Future Together.

Rates constitute the majority of the income for Maroondah City Council and the payment of rates by property owners is crucial to the effective operation of Council. 

Rates and charges are raised against properties in accordance with the Local Government Act 1989 (the Act). 

The timely recovery of rates and charges is essential to ensure adequate funding of the ongoing services and capital work projects Council provides for community benefit.  To ensure equity to the broader community Maroondah City Council follows the payment due dates and interest calculation as set down in the Act.

Where hardship has not been established, Council will avail themselves of the options under Section 180 and 181 of the Act to recover overdue amounts.  These recovery methods may include legal action and ultimately the sale of the property in question.

Difficulty paying your rates?

Council recognises that some ratepayers may experience either temporary or permanent financial difficulty and will follow best practice arrangements for the collection of rates and charges, including offering flexible payment arrangements on individual circumstances.

Find out more if you are having difficulty paying your rates.

View the policy

Rates Financial Hardship Policy(PDF, 352KB)

Rates Financial Hardship Policy(DOCX, 120KB)