Section 603 (Rates) Certificate

A Section 603 (rates) Certificate is commonly needed when you are selling a property. The certificate states the amount of any outstanding rates, charges and debts (if any) payable to Council in relation to a property. Each property number requires a separate Section 603 Certificate, and they are only valid for the date of issue.

If you are purchasing a property, you may also want a Section 735A  Application for Outstanding Notices. 

A Section 603 Certificate provides information relating to the property, such as:

  • legal description of the property,
  • property number and address,
  • outstanding rates and charges against the property,
  • rates and charges levied for the current year,
  • outstanding water account usage charges.

Water consumption charges will only show on a Section 603 Certificate if there is any outstanding water charges. You will need to arrange a special water meter reading to determine what the owner has used since their previous reading.

You can apply to Council to arrange a special water meter reading by completing the application form and paying the application fee.

Applying for a Section 603 (rates) Certificate

You can apply for a certificate under Section 603 of the Local Government Act 1993 by completing the below application and paying the application fee:

The application fee must be paid at the time of lodgement.

If you need a Section 603 Certificate urgently, the urgent fee must be paid and the application will be processed within the required timeframe.

Who can apply for a Section 603 (rates) Certificate?

Anyone can apply for a Section 603 Certificate, however, conveyancers, solicitors and property owners are the most common applicants.