44pc rates rise will force me out, says Auckland man

John Evans disputes the $3.1 million evaluation of his Remuera property and says he will move out if it is not revised. Picture / Brett Phibbs

Auckland City ratepayer John Evans reckons he's a reasonable sort, but a $2000 increase in his annual rates has left him fuming.

The rental property manager paid $4696.09 in city council rates last year, but this year faces a bill of $6743.43 - a 44 per cent increase.

"I believe in contributing fairly in society, but I never thought it was going to be necessary for me to confront this sort of increase.

"I thought that a 13 to 18 per cent increase - considering some of the problems that Auckland's got - is also acceptable, and was quite prepared to pay. I had no idea they were literally lying about the amount ... that they were going to try and get out of me.

"$2000 a year is more than most people pay in their rates and I've had that as my increase, which is just simply not fair."

Mr Evans, who has not yet received his ARC rates bill or his water charges, estimates that it will cost around $10,000 this year for him and his wife, Linda, to live in their 120-year-old Remuera villa.

When the Evans bought the property in 1989, the city council rates were about $1800, and the water charge was $199.

The villa had been due for demolition. The Evans bought the villa in a "ramshackle state" and restored it "with time, rather than lots of money", turning it into a comfortable family home.

There are substantial costs besides rates involved in maintaining the villa.

"I feel quite strong about saving Auckland's heritage, and I just feel like I'm being penalised by the Auckland City Council for saving something that perhaps they should have saved."

He knew of the council's property revaluation exercise, but didn't question it because in the past there had been no big increases.

The property has been valued at $3.1 million, a figure he said was inflated because of its location. But the rates increase had not been accompanied by better services.

"We're still just two people doing the same things we did 16 years ago. There is no way the people who are currently running the city can justify that sort of increase."

Mr Evans is writing to his ward's councillors and Mayor Dick Hubbard about the increases.

"As my potential to earn money decreases, my ability to pay these rates will also decrease, and I will simply be forced to live somewhere else.

"I have a great-grandfather who is one of the really early founders of the Ellerslie township, my parents' family owned a farm not far from where the airport is now and my great-great-grandfather farmed on the land which is currently the old Kingseat Hospital in South Auckland.

"I would hope to never have to move, but I can't think of any solution unless the council starts to keep it more realistic."