City opens some housing offices, but customers urged to only visit if urgent

21 August 2020

The City of Cape Town has opened some of its housing offices in accordance with national COVID-19 regulations. Housing offices are opening in a phased manner across the metro to adhere to the regulations. The City however emphasises that customers should only visit if urgent, especially if they are in the higher risk categories for contracting COVID-19 and to make use of the service request channels and online payment options. Read more below:

The City has opened some of its housing offices in a phased manner since early August, in accordance with national COVID-19 regulations. We will continue to ensure that all COVID-19 health and safety protocols are in place and adhered to for the safety of City staff and members of the public as additional offices are opened. We thank our customers for their patience during this difficult time. On busy days, there might also be queues as a result of reduced COVID-19 staff complements.

‘The City will communicate as additional offices are opened in the coming weeks. It must be emphasised that housing offices are working on a reduced staff complement to adhere to the COVID-19 regulations. This might lead to queues, so it is best to come early alternatively, to contact the housing offices before visiting to see if the service request can be dealt with telephonically or whether there are capacity issues at the offices.

‘Customers are reminded to only visit offices when necessary so that we continue to curb the spread of COVID-19. Only a limited number of customers will be allowed into the building at any one time to maintain social distancing. We thank our customers and tenants for their patience,’ said the City’s Mayoral Committee Member for Human Settlements, Councillor Malusi Booi.

A number of transactions can be completed at the offices including:
• logging service requests such as maintenance
• applying for indigent relief grants
• making arrangements for debt repayment on accounts
• applying for transfer of tenancy
• signing of lease agreements
• applying to renew lease agreements
• the use of the free call lines in foyers

The national COVID-19 regulations, which require a reduced staff complement, mean fewer interviews can be done per day. All counters may not be open at the same time to adhere to the COVID-19 regulations of enhanced hygiene and social distancing. Customers are asked to please visit offices early in the day or to make appointments where possible. Offices are also subject to rapid closure due to COVID-19 regulations when required.

What to expect when visiting an office:
• COVID-19 screening at the entrances
• Limited number of customers allowed in at a time, if applicable
• Social distancing is required and must be adhered to
• Limited daily transactions, so please visit early in the day. Longer queues due to reduced staff as required by COVID-19 regulations, especially if there are large volumes of transactions to contend with
• The elderly and disabled will be given first preference

For account payments:
• Online: www.Easypay.co.za or www.payCity.co.za
• EFTs: Select the City as a bank-listed beneficiary. Use only your nine-digit municipal account number as reference
• Retailers: Checkers, Pick n Pay, Shoprite, Spar and Woolworths
• e-Services: Use the City’s online e-services portal
• ATM: contact your bank to add the City as an ATM beneficiary

The City needs everyone to contribute their fair share. Those who are in financial difficulties, must approach us. Hoping that the debt will go away or ignoring the problem, is not the answer and there is help on offer. As a caring City, we also make allowance for residents who are unable to pay to apply to the City for relief.

Those who are struggling to pay, are advised to visit their local housing office to enter into a satisfactory arrangement to pay off their arrears. It is then imperative that the amount due is paid regularly, each month, to ensure that the relief granted and the arrangement made is not cancelled and to avoid debt management action against them.

Latest office openings and operations (please visit the City’s Facebook page for office opening and closure details as well as www.capetown.gov.za):

Published by:
City of Cape Town, Media Office