Most people live in a single dwelling or SUIP, like a house. Many properties have multiple units or dwellings on the same land title e.g. a block of flats or commercial units.
Rates apply to each dwelling or each separately used part of a property. This way everyone shares the cost of services that we all use or benefit from.
How council defines a SUIP
- Any part or parts of a property (rating unit) that is used or occupied by the ratepayer for more than one single use.
- Any parts, whether or not actually occupied at any particular time, which are used for rental (or other form of occupation) on an occasional or long-term basis.
- Vacant land and vacant premises offered or intended for use or habitation and usually used as such are defined as 'used'.
Every property has at least one SUIP.
Residential SUIPs
In a residential situation, an SUIP is defined as:
- any part of a rating unit inhabited by virtue of a tenancy, lease, licence or other agreement on an occasional or long-term basis
- a flat attached to a single dwelling
- two or more houses, flats or apartments on one rating unit
- ancillary flat or detached dwellings (as defined in the District Plan)
- individually surveyed lots of vacant land on one Certificate of Title offered for sale separately or in groups
- residential accommodation rented individually per room.
For a residential property to be classified as having additional SUIPs, each part must have a separate bathroom, bedroom or living area, and separate sink.
Commercial SUIPs
In a commercial situation, an SUIP will be classified where the property has been set up to accommodate or is accommodating separate lessees, tenants or the like, operating commercial activities from the same rating unit. A commercial activity is any activity involving the exchange of goods or services for reward (whether for profit or not). The below are defined as commercial SUIPs:
- any part of a rating unit inhabited by virtue of a tenancy, lease, licence or other agreement on an occasional or long-term basis
- commercial building where there are clearly defined vacant parts, advertised for lease or tenancy
- business premise with separate permitted residential activity
- home-based business (as defined in the District Plan)
- each use within a single rating unit that involves a different activity conducted by a person, company, or organisation different to the ratepayer (i.e. a large store which has a café operating within it, where the café is a separate business entity)
- commercial building leased, or sub-leased, to multiple tenants
- a separate dwelling used for short-term accommodation
- commercial accommodation provided on a single rating unit for short-term stays (where average occupancy is limited as prescribed within Council’s District Plan) will be one SUIP.
Community SUIPs
Properties used for community activities are also SUIPs, like a building used for:
- any activity operated by an organisation (including clubs and societies)
- any activity that meets the definition of Schedule 1 of the Local Government Rating Act 2002.
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Last updated 10 June 2022