Rating Certificates Application (Section 603 and Special Water Meter Reading)

The form explains that under section 603 of the Local Government Act 1993 a person may apply to the council for a certificate as to the amount (if any) due or payable to the council by way of rates, charges or otherwise in respect of a parcel of land. It also orders a special water meter reading: a reading outside the normal quarterly cycle. Certificates are issued within 5 business days, and the 603 certificate can be processed within 24 hours for an urgency fee.

When you need it

• You are buying or selling property in the Richmond Valley and need the rates position before settlement.
• You need water usage measured outside the quarterly reading cycle, for example at settlement.
• The property is non-residential, where the form says sewerage charges are based on consumption, so a special reading is recommended.

1. 1

   Certificate type

   Tick the section 603 certificate and/or the special water meter reading, and the urgent 603 option (24 hour processing) if needed.

2. 2

   Applicant details

   The applicant is the primary point of contact. Give full name, company or organisation, postal address, phone, email and reference, and sign and date.

3. 3

   Property details

   Give the house number, street, locality, property ID, purchase price, purpose of search and nature of the property. List every Land ID, lot, section and strata or deposited plan, and say whether there is a dwelling (and its lot and DP). Attach a list if there are more lots than spaces.

4. 4

   Vendor and purchaser (page 2)

   Give the registered proprietors' or vendors' and purchasers' full names, company or trust ABN/ACN, service address, phone and email.

• Lodge with Richmond Valley Council at 10 Graham Place, Casino or 25 Woodburn Street, Evans Head, by post to Locked Bag 10, Casino NSW 2470, or by email to council@richmondvalley.nsw.gov.au (phone 02 6660 0300).
• Fees are set in the council's 2026/2027 Revenue Policy. Ask the council how to pay when you lodge.

• Certificates and readings are issued per property ID. For split properties the 603 certificate is issued for the property on which the current year's rates are levied.
• In strata schemes a special reading is only done where the unit has its own council meter; otherwise water usage is the body corporate's responsibility.
• For liquid trade waste, the annual charge appears on the 603 certificate, but the usage charge needs a special reading to calculate.