Rates Online

Getting started

Login / Register

 

Grab your latest rates invoice with your assessment number and unique ID and head here to sign up. You can find your assessment number and unique ID on the front page of your rates invoice.

Your unique ID is personalised to you as the owner of your property and is not to be shared with anyone else.

Please note: Only use the assessment number between “LRA” and “/”. For example, if the assessment number is “LRA 12345/6”. please only use “12345” in your search and registration form.

Once registered you’ll receive your rates invoice directly into your inbox each quarter, as well as having access to an online portal with copies of your rates invoices from July 2022.

 

Questions & Answers

Signing Up

I signed up for Rates Online but I still received my rates invoice by post

When you register for Rates Online you must verify your email address to confirm your registration. Please check your spam folder as the notification of your rates notice may have incorrectly been marked as spam. If you are unable to or have not confirmed your email address please phone Customer Services on 03 211 1777 or email service@icc.govt.nz.

 

Can I sign up anytime?
Yes, once you sign up you will be on email delivery from your next rates invoice.

 

I’ve lost or thrown out my rates invoice. How do I get my unique ID?
Get in touch by phone 03 211 1777 or email service@icc.govt.nz and ask our team to email you a copy of your latest rates invoice.

 

Where do I find my Unique ID and Assessment Number on my rates invoice?
You’ll find these on the left hand side of your rates invoice:

Please note: Only use the assessment number between “LRA” and “/”. For example, if the assessment number is “LRA 12345/6”. please only use “12345” in your search and registration form.

 

I’ve tried to sign up but it’s telling me my assessment number and unique ID is invalid.
Double check your assessment number. Only use the assessment number between “LRA” and “/”. For example, if the assessment number is LRA 12345/6, please only use 12345. Double check you are using a Unique ID from your latest rates invoice and the rates invoice has your name on it (not a previous owner).

 

What if I put in the wrong number – will I receive someone else’s rates invoice?
If you enter an incorrect number it won’t be able to be verified by the system and you’ll be asked to try again.

 

I didn’t click on the email link within 24 hours. What do I do?
Click on the email link and select Forgot Password to set your password.

 

Can I receive my rates invoice by email AND post?
No, you can receive your rates invoice either by post or by email, but not both.

 

Can I have access to the online portal to access my rates invoice, but still get my rates invoice in the post?
Yes, simply untick the box “Send my bills to my email address” upon registration to disable email delivery.

 

Can I get my rates invoice emailed to two different email addresses?
No, we only send one rates invoice per property.

 

What if I don’t have internet access?
You can still receive your rates bill via post. Having your rates emailed to you is an opt-in system.

 

If I sign up to receive my rates invoice by email, does this mean I will receive my dog registration by email also?
Currently this service is only available for rates invoices and annual assessment notices.

 

I signed up to email but my next rates invoice came in the post. Why didn’t I receive it by email?
There are a couple of things to check:

  1. Simply log into the portal here, select Change My Details, then select Edit user preferences and ensure the box “Send my bills to my email address” is ticked
  2. When you originally signed up it is a requirement to confirm your email address via the link you received in your registration email. If you did not confirm your email address please phone Customer Services on 03 211 1777 or email service@icc.govt.nz

 

Owners of more then one property

Can I sign up for all of my properties?
Yes, you can add additional properties to your login once you sign up. Once logged in select Change my Details and then select Add more accounts to your login. You’ll require the Assessment Number and Unique ID from your rates invoice.

 

Am I able to get one rates invoice sent to one email address, and the other rates invoice sent to a different email address?
No, you can only register one email address per ratepayer.

Once registered, you can forward rates invoices to other email addresses from within the portal.

 

Can I opt into email for one property, and have the other property posted to me?
Yes, if you do not register a property for email then you will continue to receive the rates invoice via post.

 

Making payments

If I get my rates invoice via email do I have to pay online too?
No, you can still come in and pay your rates at Te Hinaki Civic Building, 101 Esk Street, even if you choose to have your rates invoice delivered online.

 

How do I pay my rates invoice online?
Once you are logged into the portal select the rates invoice you would like to pay and select Click here to pay your bill online or alternatively you can go to icc.govt.nz/rates/paying-your-rates

 

Can I set up a direct debit to pay my rates?
Yes, head to icc.govt.nz/rates/paying-your-rates to download a direct debit form.

 

I’m having trouble paying my rates and I would like to talk to someone to discuss repayment plans/arrears/penalties?
If you would like to discuss your rates account please phone Customer Services on 03 211 1777 or email service@icc.govt.nz

 

Changes to me and my property

What if I change my mind about having my rates invoice delivered by email?
You can choose to go back to having your rates invoices posted at any time. Simply log into the portal here, select Change My Details, then select Edit user preferences and untick the box “Send my bills to my email address”.

 

I’ve signed up to email but I’ve changed my email address. What do I do?
Log in to the portal here under your old email address. Select Change My Details, then select Change my email address to update your email address.

 

I have just purchased a new property. How do I sign-up to email?
You must wait to receive your first rates invoice for your new property by post. Your first rates invoice will have your Assessment Number and Unique ID which you will then use to sign-up. 

If you’re already signed up with another property you can add your new property as an additional property to your existing log-in. You can only do this once you’ve received your first rates invoice for your new property.

 

If I sell my property will the new owners be able to sign-up and see the rates invoices from when I owned it?
No, new owners will only be able to access their own rates invoices from the later of their date of purchase or July 2022. They will be unable to see any rates invoices generated after they sell the property.

 

My postal address has changed but I get my rates invoice emailed. Do I still need to let you know that my postal address has changed?
Yes, we still require a current postal address for all ratepayers. To change your address with Council simply log into the portal here, select Change My Details, then select Change my contact details and send us a message letting us know your new postal address.

Alternatively, give our Customer Services team a call on 03 211 1777 or email service@icc.govt.nz

 

Terms & Conditions

  1. Applications need to be submitted by one of the current owners as listed on the rates invoice.
  2. Applications must be received by our online portal.
  3. One invoice per property will be issued.
  4. One email address per ratepayer is permitted.
  5. The unique ID provided on the rates invoice is a personalised code which is unique to the ratepayer/property combination.
  6. The emailing of the invoice will be activated for the next available rates instalment invoice. Any registrations or email address changes that occur within the month prior to receiving the rates invoice may not be included until the following instalment invoice.
  7. Invercargill City Council cannot accept responsibility for invoices that cannot be delivered because of an invalid email address.
  8. If the email is unable to be sent, a hard copy will be mailed to the last known postal address.
  9. Invoices will only be emailed to verified email addresses.
  10. Please advise of any change/cancellation of email address. It is your responsibility to keep the electronic address current.
  11. Email authorisation may be cancelled at any time at the discretion of the Council.
  12. This authorisation covers rates invoices, annual assessment notices, property valuation notices and insertions only. Please continue to keep your current postal address updated with Council.
  13. By ticking the box named “Opt in for other email messages from Invercargill City Council”, the email address used upon registration will be used as a point of contact by Council.
  14. You acknowledge that nothing in these terms affects your liability as a ratepayer to pay rates and penalties under the Local Government Rating Act (2002).
  15. Information in this form is collated and used to send your rates invoices, annual assessment notices and property valuation notices. Invercargill City Council may use and disclose this information in accordance with the provisions of the LGRA (2002).

 

Privacy Policy

1. Introduction

1.1 The Invercargill City Council (referred to in this Rates Privacy Policy as we, our or us) has established an online registration system. This system allows ratepayers (referred to in this Rates Privacy Policy as you or your) to receive rates documentation (specifically rates invoices, annual assessment notices and property valuation notices) for the rating unit for which they are the ratepayer via email (instead of by post) (Rates Online Service). You may register for our Rates Service through our website.

1.2 We take our responsibilities under the Privacy Act 2020 (Privacy Act) seriously. This Rates Privacy Policy describes how we collect, store, use and disclose personal information in connection with the Rates Online Service.

1.3 The information in this Rates Privacy Policy only applies to personal and other information we collect, use and/or hold in connection with the Rates Online Service, and does not apply to any of our websites generally or to our other online services.

1.4 We may change this Rates Privacy Policy from time to time. We will give you notice of changes on our website. You should check this Rates Privacy Policy from time to time to check for any amendments. If you continue to use the Rates Online Service after the amendment, you will be considered to have accepted the amended Rates Privacy Policy. 

1.5 This Rates Privacy Policy explains the following in connection with the Rates Online Service:

  1. how we collect personal information;
  2. what kind of personal information we collect;
  3. how we use personal information;
  4. how we protect and store personal information;
  5. our use of cookies and log files;
  6. how you can access/amend your personal information; and
  7. who you can contact for further information.

In respect of ratepayers who are not individuals (for example a company or other body corporate), this Rates Privacy Policy will apply to any personal information that we may collect, receive or use in connection with that ratepayer’s registration for, and/or use of, the Rates Online Service.

 

2. How we collect personal information

2.1 We collect personal information about you, or from you, in connection with the Rates Online Service in the following ways:

  1. through your registration, access to and use of the Rates Online Service, including when any updates are made to your Rates Online account;
  2. when you contact us (eg through our customer service representatives) with a query or request in relation to the Rates Online Service;
  3. from any other person you authorise to provide us with personal information, or who you authorise us to contact for personal information; and
  4. from our existing records, databases and/or systems, which may contain information that we hold about, or in connection with, you from time to time.

 

3. What kind of personal information we collect

3.1 We collect the personal information:

  1. submitted by you, or on your behalf, or which you authorise others to provide to us, in connection with your registration and/or use of the Rates Service; or
  2. that is provided to us through our customer service representatives.

This includes:

  1. contact details (eg email address);
  2. the unique ID and assessment number that appears on the rates invoice identifying the rating unit for which you are the ratepayer or an authorised representative of the ratepayer;
  3. online rates invoice account information (eg email address, password);
  4. any other personal information you may provide or which may be provided on your behalf (or that you authorise others to provide) to us from time to time in relation to the Rates Online Service; and
  5. records of your communications with us.

3.2 We automatically log some information which is, or may be, personal information when you use the Rates Online Service, including:

  1. when you last accessed the Rates Online Service; and
  2. information relating to your use of the Rates Online Service.

3.3 If we do not receive from you, or on your behalf, the information we request from you from time to time, the services and information you are able to access through the Rates Online Service may be limited and we may not be able to provide you with all of the services, information or products that you request from us.

 

4. How we use personal information

4.1 We may use personal information that we collect about you or that you provide to us in the following ways:

  1. to make the Rates Online Service available to you;
  2. to process and respond to your enquiries, requests, or other communications from you in relation to our Rates Online Service;
  3. to update any information that we currently hold about, or in connection with, you in our existing records, databases or systems (eg change of address);
  4. for any specific purpose which we notify you of at the time the personal information is collected or for which we have consent;
  5. to assist us with analysing the use of the Rates Online Service, and further developing and improving the Rates Online Service; and
  6. for our administrative purposes and any other purposes permitted by, or required to comply with, any applicable law.

4.2 We may disclose personal information:

  1. to our agents, service providers (including our hosting providers) and any other relevant third parties to the extent necessary to make the Rates Online Service available to you, or in connection with any of the purposes set out in paragraph 4.1 above;
  2. if we are requested to do so in the course of legal proceedings or other investigations; or
  3. with authorisation from the individual concerned or where we are otherwise required to do so by applicable law, including by way of example only to comply with our obligations under the Local Government Official Information and Meetings Act 1987.

 

5. How we protect and store personal information

5.1 Personal information may be stored by us or by our service providers on our behalf.  We have entered into appropriate arrangements requiring our hosting provider to keep the hosted information secure and confidential. We have done everything reasonably within our power to prevent unauthorised use or disclosure of that information. 

5.2 We have implemented reasonable measures designed to keep personal information safe and secure, and protected against loss, another misuse, and unauthorised access, use, modification, or disclosure.

 

6. Use of cookies and log files

6.1 We use cookies and analytics tools in connection with the Rates Online Service:

  1. for session authentication purposes; and
  2. to collect information about how you use the Rates Online Service, such as to store information about your preferences.

6.2 A cookie is a small data file that the website sends to your device, which may be stored for later retrieval by the website. Some cookies we use last only for the duration of your website session and expire when you close your browser. Other cookies are used to remember you when you return to use the Rates Online Service and will last for longer.

6.3 If cookies are rejected, the Rates Online Service may still be used, but the ability to use some of its features or functionality may be limited.

6.4 In addition to using cookies, we use Google Analytics (a service that provides aggregated reports on website activity) to further understand how the Rates Online Service can be improved.  Google Analytics relies on the use of cookies. For details on what information is collected via these cookies, and how it is stored and used, see Google’s privacy policy.

6.5 We may use non-personalised statistics about the use of the Rates Online Service to monitor site traffic, to analyse trends, to gather demographic information about our user base as a whole, to improve the Rates Online Service and to improve user experience. These anonymised and/or amalgamated statistics do not comprise of personal information.

 

7. Contacting us

7.1 We may be contacted at https://icc.govt.nz/contact-icc, or phone us on 03 211 1777:

  1. by an individual who wishes to inquire about, seek access to, and/or correction of personal information we hold about that individual; or
  2. if there are concerns that we have breached the Privacy Act.

7.2 If we are requested to correct personal information we hold in connection with the Rates Online Service and we do not agree to the request, it may be requested that we take reasonable steps to attach to the information a statement of the correction sought but not made.