Rates and Water Certificate Application (Section 603 and SMR)

Section 603 of the Local Government Act 1993 (NSW) lets a person apply to a council for a certificate stating the amount (if any) due or payable to the council by way of rates, charges or otherwise in respect of a parcel of land. Councils describe it as commonly needed when a property is bought or sold, and say it is usually requested by conveyancers, solicitors or buyers before settlement to confirm what is owing on the property. Muswellbrook Shire Council uses this form for both the 603 certificate (rating information) and a special water meter reading (SMR). The form points out that a 603 certificate carries no water usage details: if you need usage, order the special reading as well.

When you need it

• You are buying or selling property in Muswellbrook Shire and need the rates position before settlement.
• You need water usage measured close to settlement so it can be accounted for.

1. 1

   Choose the request

   Tick rating information (603 certificate), special water meter reading, or both.

2. 2

   Applicant details

   Give the company name (if any), your name, phone, mobile, postal address, email and reference.

3. 3

   Site details

   Give the unit, shop or suite number, street number and name, suburb, owner, lot or portion, section and deposited or strata plan number. The form says these are on the rates notice, property deeds or council property maps.

4. 4

   Payment contact

   Give a payment contact name and number. Customer service will contact you to take payment.

• Lodge the completed form with Muswellbrook Shire Council: email council@muswellbrook.nsw.gov.au, post to PO Box 122, Muswellbrook NSW 2333, or take it to 60-82 Bridge Street, Muswellbrook.
• The council's customer service team contacts you to take payment. A merchant fee applies to credit card payments. Check the current fees in the council's fees and charges.

• Fill in every part. The form warns that insufficient information may mean the form is returned before anything is actioned.
• A special water meter reading is a reading taken outside the council's normal reading cycle. Councils offer it alongside the 603 certificate because the certificate shows amounts owing, not the water used since the last scheduled reading.