Rates Rebate Act 1973

Introduction

You could also call this:

"Help with Paying Home Rates"

This law is about helping people who own certain homes. You might get some money back on the rates you pay for your home. The law says who can get this money back and how it works.

The law is talking about rates that you pay for a home where you live. You pay these rates to help your local council pay for things like roads and parks. The law wants to help some people by giving them a rebate, which is like a refund, on these rates.

If you own a home that the law says is eligible, you might be able to get a rebate on your rates. You will have to follow the rules set out in the law to get this rebate. The law explains what you need to do to get the rebate and how much you can get.

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This page was last updated on 10 September 2025

View the original legislation for this page at https://legislation.govt.nz/act/public/1986/0120/latest/link.aspx?id=DLM409295.

Highlights from this law

3: Rates rebate

Getting some of your house rates money back

5: Applications to territorial authority for rates rebate

Apply to your local council for help with paying your home's rates

6: Applications for refunds of rates paid

Get back rates you've already paid on your home

4: Assessment of income if more than 1 ratepayer

How the government works out income for houses with multiple owners

7: Refund to owner of owner-occupier flat of contribution towards rates

Getting some money back if you own a flat and pay towards property rates

7A: Refund to resident of retirement village of contribution towards rates

Getting money back if you live in a retirement village and pay towards rates

8: Provisions applying where system of rating by instalments in force

Rules for paying rates rebates when you pay rates in parts

10: Recovery of overpayments

Paying back rates rebates you shouldn't have got

Topics:

Housing and property > Land useMoney and consumer rights > TaxesGovernment and voting > Local councils

1: Short Title and commencement, or

"What the Rates Rebate Act 1973 is and when it started"

Rates Rebate Act 1973

Reprint as at:: 2025-08-27
Assent:: 1973-06-13
Commencement:: see section 1(2)

The Parliamentary Counsel Office has made editorial and format changes to this version using the powers under subpart 2 of Part 3 of the Legislation Act 2019.

Note 4 at the end of this version provides a list of the amendments included in it.

This Act is administered by the Department of Internal Affairs.

An Act to make provision for the granting of rebates of rates payable in respect of certain residential properties