[Andrea Dolan]

Hi

As you may or may not know, Canterbury-Bankstown has made it in the news this week –
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2018-10-31/man-awarded-sydney-property-under-squatters-rights-laws/10450462

So this has prompted our NAR Administrator and Customer Service Manager to start discussions with us on accepting change of addresses and how we can tighten it up. As we are an amalgamated council, we are trying to align both branches because BCC accepts changes over the phone, and CCC only accept it in writing. We do have a Council form for those taken over the phone and it is also available on our website.

Basically my question is, whether you accept change of addresses over the phone or only accept written requests, what information do you require before you will accept the change?

Thanks for your time
Andrea

[Simone Fisher]

Hi Andrea,
We only accept changes in writing (email, fax or post) & have also recently added an online form to our website. The form is smart phone/tablet friendly & enables ratepayers to quickly fill in details & submit online. We then receive the change via email from our website.

With the exception of managing agent we don’t change an address unless we can verify that the request came from the owner or the person requesting the change can provide supporting documentation of their interest in the property (will, power of attorney, etc.). With managing agents we require them to provide their clients name. If it matches our ownership we change the address, if not we don’t.

Thanks,
Simone

[Carla Mete]

Hi Andrea
Shellharbour City Council will only accept change of address in writing, whether it be on our own Council Change of Address Form, or in an email whereby the email address can easily be associated with the owner on the title.
We will also add a managing agent if the real estate can confirm the ownership as per the title deeds, and where appropriate we request to see a copy of their managing agent agreement.
if a non-owner requests to change the address then we request legal documents such as power of attorney or a will.
Carla

[Andrew Butcher]

Hi Andrea
We accept over the phone for individuals, collect a lot of information including verifying previous mailing address and owners full name. The same questions are asked in our web form. If we have any doubt we call the ratepayer to validate on a number we already have.
For others (companies, real estate, POA etc) they must be in writing, not web form (although they try). With companies the person making the change must identify themselves as an authorized person and real estates we ask for a copy of the management agreement (but not mandatory), although they must include the owners names.
I trust this is helpful.
Regards,
Andrew

[Bradley Filmer]

Hi Andrea,
We only accept COA through our online form. We also ensure real estates send through a copy of the management agreement for any properties they ask to be sent to them.
Thanks
Brad

[Dajana Poblete]

Hi Andrea
We only accept changes of address in writing either via email, fax, letter or online COA form. We previously took the COA over the phone but found that we had alot of issues when we went legal for recovery of rates and charges. We had very little issue/ complaint from our ratepayers when we made the change to requests must be in writing. We include a note on our rate notices that changes of address must be in writing. Thanks. Dajana

[Cindy Allan]

Just a thought. For those Councils who record calls, can the the recording be filed/attached to the property? The COA and verbal applications for pension concessions can then be accepted which is evidence in a court of law.

[Suzy Melki]

Hi Andrea
We only accept change of Address in writing, we accept online application request where ratepayers completes and submits on council’s website, Email ,Post, and Fax but we never accept verbal request. we verify that the request comes from the owner and if requested by agent, provided that they confirm details of property including assessment number and owners name.

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