Residential Owner Occupier Grant

Adelaide City Council has a strong commitment to encouraging residential owner occupation in the City. This has been achieved in previous years by using rate rebates to provide a financial incentive for residential owner occupiers. Council intends to continue providing a financial incentive in the form of the Residential Owner Occupier Grant ('the grant').

Council is offering this grant to assist eligible ratepayers pay their rates. The Grant is calculated as 50% of the annual rate payable, up to a maximum of $125 per year.

Grant Eligibility

The Grant will be credited (without the requirement for an application) against the rates for eligible residential ratepayers who have been identified using data currently held by the Council. Eligible recipients of the grant who have been automatically identified will notice the Grant appear on their Rate Notice as a reduction in the amount payable.

Ratepayers who have not been automatically identified should check the eligibility criteria listed below. To be eligible to receive the Grant the ratepayer must meet the eligibility criteria on the last day for payment of the first instalment of council rates for the relevant financial year; this is usually 1 September:

●    The land must be rateable and assessed based on residential differential rates. Non-residential properties are not eligible.
●    The beneficiary must be a residential occupier at the property and appear on the duplicate certificate of title as an owner. If you do not appear on the Certificate of Title, but have a Rates and Taxes Agreement, you may be eligible for the Grant.
●    The property must be the principal place of residence of the beneficiary. Evidence to support eligibility for the residential address includes:
    — Eligibility for a pension concession as confirmed by SA Water.
    — Eligibility for a self-funded retiree concession as confirmed by Revenue SA.
    — Enrolment on the House of Assembly Electoral Roll.
    — Completion of Residential Enrolment for Adelaide City Council Voters Roll (LGA Form 2).
    — Completion and signing of a Rates and Taxes Agreement by the occupier and owner.
●    In the case of joint ownership of a property, with one of the owners residing elsewhere, only the resident owner is eligible.
●    The beneficiary must be a natural person (corporate entities are not eligible).
●    Beneficiaries of a mandatory or discretionary rebate on council rates (Sections 159 to 166 of the Local Government Act 1999) can not also benefit from this grant.

Where eligibility has not been determined using data currently held by the Council, then an application is required in writing before 31 December 2010. Applications must clearly identify the grounds for eligibility and provide proof where applicable.

Revocation of the Grant

Beneficiaries of the grant must satisfy the criteria outlined above on the due date of the first instalment of council rates (usually 1 September).

Council may revoke or request repayment of the grant in the certain circumstances, for example where the property title has been transferred, occupation has changed, or where evidence arises to negate eligibility.
Further Information

» Residential Owner Occupier Grant Operating Guidelines
» Grant Application Form 
» Rates and Taxes Agreement Form

Please contact the Council’s rates staff on 8203 7242 or by email at r.mail@adelaidecitycouncil.com if you have any queries.