Paying your rates by Direct Debit is an easy and convenient way to keep your account up to date. Never forget a payment again.
Choose a time to suit you from weekly, fortnightly, monthly, or quarterly payments.
No penalties. No penalties will be applied while your Direct Debit arrangement remains active.
No admin. We calculate your payment amount, advise you annually of any changes and structure the payments to ensure your rates are paid in full by 30 June, the end of the rating year.
No fees. There are no additional fees for paying by Direct Debit.
You can set up your Direct Debit online , if your bank account only requires one authorised signatory
Once your application has been received and processed, you will receive confirmation by email or post advising:
Your payment start date.
Your payment frequency.
The amount that will be deducted.
Please note: Direct Debits can only be set up using a bank account. If you would prefer to pay by credit card, you can make a payment through our website. Pay your rates.
You can choose when your direct debit comes out from the following days:
Weekly on a Wednesday or Friday.
Fortnightly on Wednesday or Friday.
Monthly on 10th or 20th.
Quarterly - Direct Debit payments are deducted quarterly on the instalment due dates shown on your rates invoice. The amount deducted will be the balance owing at the time the quarterly direct debit is processed.
Once your Direct Debit has been set up, payments will be automatically deducted on the agreed dates and frequency. You will receive confirmation of your payment when your application has been processed. If your payment amount or collection date changes, the Council will notify you in advance.
The direct debit payment will appear on your bank statement as Transaction Type – Direct Debit, Details – Sdc Rates followed by your valuation number
You can stop your direct debit by contacting Council by email at revenue@selwyn.govt.nz You only need to notify us. Please remember that if you do not notify us, we will continue to attempt to collect payments under the current direct debit arrangement.
Important: If you cancel your Direct Debit directly through your bank, you may be unable to set up another Direct Debit with Selwyn District Council without involving your bank.
The Council may cancel your Direct Debit arrangement if:
Three payments are dishonoured during the rating year for weekly or fortnightly arrangements; or
Two payments are dishonoured during the rating year for monthly or quarterly arrangements.
If a Payment is Dishonoured
The Council may recalculate your Direct Debit payments to ensure your rates are paid in full by 30 June.
Direct Debit amounts are reviewed and recalculated during the last week of each month if required.
The Council does not charge dishonour or failed payment fees.
Your bank may charge fees or other costs associated with failed payments.
If a payment is missed, you may:
Make a one-off payment to bring the account up to date; or
Please contact us to arrange a recalculation of your Direct Debit payments by email at revenue@selwyn.govt.nz
If we do not hear from you, your Direct Debit will be automatically recalculated at the end of the month and your next Direct Debit will be adjusted to make to make sure your rates are paid in full by the end of the financial year.
If your rates balance changes during the year, your Direct Debit amount may be adjusted.
Examples include:
Rates rebates
Additional manual payments
Dishonoured Direct Debit payments
Changes to bin services
Direct Debit amounts are reviewed monthly to help ensure your account is paid in full by 30 June.
The Council adopts rates and charges for the new rating year in early July.
Once the rates are loaded and verified, the Annual rates assessments and first instalment notices are issued in early August.
Direct Debit amounts are automatically recalculated from the first August payment and any changes will be advised on your rates invoice.
Selling Your Property
When the Council receives a solicitor's request for settlement information, your Direct Debit arrangement will be cancelled.
Moving Within Selwyn District
If you purchase another property in the Selwyn District, you must complete a new Direct Debit application. Direct Debits are linked to the property, not the property owner.
Bin Service Changes
If you change your bin service during the year, the revised charges will be applied in the following quarter, and your Direct Debit will be recalculated accordingly.
Your updated Direct Debit amount will be shown on your rates invoice.
Quarterly rates invoices will continue to be issued for your records, even if you pay by Direct Debit.
There are no additional Council fees for paying by Direct Debit.
If you have any other questions please give us a call on 0800 735 996 or email revenue@selwyn.govt.nz
Important information
You can choose your preferred start date based on your selected frequency.
Weekly, fortnightly, and monthly payments are fixed amounts.
Quarterly payments vary and are based on the account balance owing at the time of deduction.
If your direct debit deduction falls on a public holiday/weekend the payment will still be deducted on the scheduled due date.
