Guesthouses, Flats and Rentals Hit by New CHDM Charges

Property owners operating guesthouses, student accommodation and rental units across the Chris Hani District Municipality could face additional monthly charges from July under the municipality’s newly approved tariff structure.

The Chris Hani District Municipality has introduced new sewerage charges for accommodation establishments, mixed-use properties, multi-let properties and student residences as part of its approved 2026/27 tariffs. The tariffs were approved by council on 27 May 2026 and will take effect from 1 July 2026.

According to the tariff schedule, owners of hotels, boutique hotels, bed and breakfasts, guest houses, chalets, self-catering units, country houses and cottages will be required to pay a sewerage charge of R174.20 per room, bed, flat, chalet, self-catering unit or cottage per month. This charge will be in addition to the sewerage availability charge applicable to the main property.

The same monthly charge of R174.20 will apply to mixed-use properties that include rental flats, rental rooms, business offices or business units.

Multi-let residential properties will also be affected. The municipality says residential houses with rental flats, rental rooms, rental business offices or rental business units will be charged R174.20 per room or unit per month in addition to the main property’s sewerage availability charge.

Student residences and rental multi-dwelling properties will similarly be charged R174.20 per room, bed, flat, dwelling unit, semi-detached house, simplex unit or townhouse per month.

The approved tariffs also set the monthly sanitation availability charge at R113.80 for households, R174.20 for businesses and R158.00 for government facilities, churches, schools and hospitals.

The municipality published the tariffs in terms of the Municipal Systems Act and Municipal Finance Management Act, confirming they will remain in force for the 2026/27 financial year.