Section 603 Certificate Application

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. Warren Shire Council uses a property information inquiry form for the request, with tick boxes for a section 603 certificate and a special water meter reading. 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.

When you need it

• You are buying or selling property in Warren Shire and need the rates position before settlement.
• You need water usage read outside the normal cycle, for example at settlement.

1. 1

   Section 1: applicant and certificate

   Insert the applicant's full name and address (responses are returned there) and reference, and tick Section 603 and/or Special Water Meter Reading. Tick whether a cheque is enclosed or a bank deposit has been paid.

2. 2

   Section 2: legal description

   Give the local council name, parish, county, locality, house number and street, area, and the nature of the property (vacant land, house, factory, units, farm). Then complete the line that fits the title: lot and DP; portion and section; allotment, section and town; or strata lot and SP (with the common property lot and DP). Add any other references, such as the folio identifier, volume and folio, old system deed or Crown tenure number, or the council or Valuer General number.

3. 3

   Owners, purchaser and price

   Give the registered proprietor's full name and address, any occupier, the vendor's name and address (or "as above"), the purchaser's full name and address, the purchase price and the purpose of the inquiry. Add the date, phone, fax, firm and contact name.

• Send the form to Warren Shire Council, PO Box 6, Warren NSW 2824 (or email council@warren.nsw.gov.au). Pay by cheque sent with the form or by bank deposit: the council's bank details are printed on the form. Check the current fee in the council's fees and charges.
• Planning certificates and sewer diagrams are ordered on the council's separate Section 10.7 application.

• Complete all parts: the form warns that insufficient information may result in it being returned.
• Order the special water meter reading at the same time if water usage needs to be accounted for at settlement.