The City of Tshwane is calling on property owners to review how their properties are being used and ensure that their water meter classification and tariff structure accurately reflect current activities on the property.
The City has noticed that many properties are being used differently from their original residential purposes. These include home-based businesses, rental rooms and backyard dwellings, guest houses and short-term rental properties, multiple families living on one property, and residential estates and complexes with shared water services.
As property uses change, water consumption patterns may also change. In some cases, the existing residential water meter classification may no longer be appropriate and may need to be upgraded. Property owners are therefore encouraged to check whether their current water meter still matches how their property is being used.
You may need a new water meter under the following circumstances:
Ensuring that the correct meter and tariff are in place helps promote fairness and supports the sustainable management of the City's water infrastructure.
When properties are used for business purposes or multiple rentals but remain on residential tariffs, the following can occur:
Your tariff should reflect your actual water usage and property use.
The City will conduct compliance inspections to identify properties where water usage does not match the water meter classification. Property owners are encouraged to regularise their accounts before inspections occur.
Failure to regularise a property's water meter classification may result in the following:
The City encourages residents and property owners to come forward voluntarily if their property's use has changed. Benefits include the following:
The sooner property owners come forward, the easier the process is likely to be.
Property owners with additional structures that do not have approved building plans may need to submit a land development application for consent use or obtain permission for additional dwelling houses, depending on the nature of the development.
The City of Tshwane encourages all property owners to check whether their current water meter classification accurately reflects how their property is being used. Taking proactive steps to regularise your account will help avoid future penalties while contributing to fair, sustainable and efficient water service delivery across the city.
For more information or assistance with regularising your water meter and tariff classification, residents are encouraged to contact the relevant City of Tshwane officials through the prescribed water services and city planning channels.
- You rent out rooms, flats or backyard dwellings
- You run a water-dependent business from home
- You operate a guest house or short-term rental property
- You have added structures for tenants
- Your property is used for commercial purposes
- Your estate or homeowners association serves multiple properties with one water connection
- Paying customers subsidise commercial activity
- The City loses revenue needed for infrastructure maintenance
- Network pressure increases because of unplanned demand
- Service delivery is compromised for everyone
- Retrospective reclassification as a business customer
- Liability for back-payment of the tariff difference
- Penalties and interest being applied to your account
- Restriction or disconnection of water supply until compliance is achieved
- Fines for operating without the necessary approvals
- Avoiding retrospective reclassification penalties
- Reduced administrative fees
- Assistance with navigating the application process
- Guidance on any building plan approvals that may be required