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Serving Johannesburg
Municipal account problems inJohannesburg?Let's get it sorted.
Serving Johannesburg CBD, Sandton, Randburg and Midrand and more.
We deal with City of Johannesburg on your behalf as your appointed representative. Shan handles every case personally.
Shown only to say which council we deal with. Not an endorsement.
Your location is only used in your browser, to pick an area. It is never sent to us or stored.
- 1Current: Problem
- 2Your details
Who bills you in Johannesburg
- As published by the City of Johannesburg, everyone who owns a property or receives a service gets one monthly account from the City, with water, electricity, refuse and rates together.
- City Power took over the electricity billing function on 1 July 2025, but, as City Power stated, the bill is still issued through the City of Johannesburg.
- Water and sanitation are provided by Johannesburg Water SOC Ltd. Refuse is charged for Pikitup's service on the same account.
- Some areas buy electricity directly from Eskom. A City page names Soweto and Sandton as areas where Eskom supplies. If you are not sure who your electricity bill comes from, look at your latest account or ask Shan.
Information as at November 2026
Problems we sort out in Johannesburg
Electricity charges that look wrong
City Power took over electricity billing in July 2025 and started a stand-by-stand meter audit, aiming to reduce estimation errors. If a charge looks unexpected or estimated, Shan can check it against your meter and tariff.
Water billed on a fixed volume
The City's 2026/27 budget says some areas are billed on a set monthly volume per connection instead of a meter reading. Shan can check whether that is how your water is being charged.
Your whole account, line by line
One account carries water, electricity, refuse and rates, so a mistake in one line can hide in the total. Shan goes through it with you.
A property value or category that looks wrong
Between valuation rolls, the City accepts a Section 78 query with evidence if a value or category is incorrect. Shan helps you put the evidence together.
Pensioners' rebate
The City says the pensioners' rebate is not automatic and must be applied for. Shan checks whether you qualify and helps with the application.
Selling your property
A Section 118 clearance is needed before transfer. Fixing account errors first can avoid paying for charges that are wrong.
Rates, valuations and rebates
Valuation roll
The current valuation roll is the General Valuation Roll 2023 (GVR2023), in force from 1 July 2023 until 30 June 2027, as published by the City. Supplementary rolls are compiled at least once a financial year.
An objection must relate to one specific property, not the roll as a whole. Objection windows open from time to time; ask Shan whether one is open now.
Pensioners' rebate
- Owners aged 60 and older who own and live in a single-dwelling residential property can apply. The rebate is not automatic.
- For 2026/27 the City's application forms say owners aged 60 to 69 get 100% if gross monthly household income is below R13,519, and 50% above that up to R23,172, on property values up to R1.5 million.
- Owners aged 70 and older get 100% regardless of income, up to a market value of R2 million.
- Accounts in arrears are not processed unless there is a payment arrangement or a dispute.
Shan checks whether you qualify and helps with the application.
Information as at November 2026, as published by the municipality. Rules change, so Shan confirms what applies when you apply.
Areas we cover in Johannesburg
Not listed? City of Johannesburg covers more than we can name here. Ask Shan.
Towns
- Johannesburg CBD
- Sandton
- Randburg
- Midrand
- Roodepoort
- Soweto
- Lenasia
Suburbs and townships
- Fourways
- Bryanston
- Rosebank
- Northcliff
- Melville
- Houghton
- Oaklands
- Norwood
- Alexandra
- Diepsloot
- Orange Farm
- Ennerdale
Questions answered
Is Optimize Energy part of the City of Johannesburg?
No. Optimize Energy is an independent service and is not part of, or endorsed by, any municipality. Shan works as your appointed representative: with your consent she deals with the council on your behalf. She cannot promise an outcome, because the council makes the final decision.
How do your fees work?
You pay a sign-on fee only after Shan has looked at your account and confirmed she can help. After that, fees depend on the work involved, and they are shown in your portal before you pay them.
Who do I pay, the City or City Power?
Pay using the details on your own account. As published by City Power, your electricity bill is still issued through the City of Johannesburg. If something on the account looks wrong, Shan can check it before you decide what to pay.
What is a Section 118 clearance?
A Section 118 certificate is the clearance a municipality issues before a property can be transferred. It generally requires the municipal debts on the property to be paid. Your conveyancer applies for it and can tell you what applies to your sale. Shan can check your account for errors before you start, so you are not paying for charges that are wrong.
Can I pay my arrears in instalments?
Municipalities generally allow payment arrangements on arrears. Shan can help you ask for one, and check the terms before you agree.
Let's Get It Sorted
Contact me today for expert assistance with your municipal account.
Your municipal account, our priority.