Comments for Stay A Night http://www.stayanight.co.za South Africa Accommodation | Find Accommodation in South Africa Fri, 14 Oct 2011 05:33:50 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 Comment on 2010 a great year for SA tourism by Tourism minister extols the virtues of e-visas | Stay A Night http://www.stayanight.co.za/2010-a-great-year-for-sa-tourism/comment-page-1#comment-148 Tourism minister extols the virtues of e-visas | Stay A Night Fri, 14 Oct 2011 05:33:50 +0000 http://beta.stayanight.co.za/?p=1634#comment-148 [...] of the General Assembly of the United Nations World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO) in South Korea, Van Schalkwyk emphasised that governments needed to put their heads together to “creatively address the [...] [...] of the General Assembly of the United Nations World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO) in South Korea, Van Schalkwyk emphasised that governments needed to put their heads together to “creatively address the [...]

]]> Comment on Guesthouse owners fear amended Rates Bill by Memory Robinson http://www.stayanight.co.za/guesthouse-owners-fear-amended-rates-bill/comment-page-1#comment-96 Memory Robinson Mon, 15 Aug 2011 07:05:57 +0000 http://www.stayanight.co.za/?p=9917#comment-96 This is a shocker and many Guest houses will be closing down. Apart from the fact that the Municipality have indicated that they want to double the rates and taxes, the 27% hike in the electricity bill will also increase the expenses. This month our account jumped from R2900 to R4100. It is impossible for Guest houses to absorb these increases and neither can they load their rates because the public is already cash stripped. Overseas tourists have also slowed down due to the negative reports in the papers and TV. The only way to cut down on costs is to reduce staff, thus increasing the unemployed crisis that already exists in the country. The only people who will be gaining from the increase in the rates, are the top brass at the Municipality, who will no doubt give themselves the normal increase in their salary. This is a shocker and many Guest houses will be closing down. Apart from the fact that the Municipality have indicated that they want to double the rates and taxes, the 27% hike in the electricity bill will also increase the expenses. This month our account jumped from R2900 to R4100. It is impossible for Guest houses to absorb these increases and neither can they load their rates because the public is already cash stripped. Overseas tourists have also slowed down due to the negative reports in the papers and TV.
The only way to cut down on costs is to reduce staff, thus increasing the unemployed crisis that already exists in the country.
The only people who will be gaining from the increase in the rates, are the top brass at the Municipality, who will no doubt give themselves the normal increase in their salary.

]]> Comment on Guesthouse owners fear amended Rates Bill by David Schoonmaker http://www.stayanight.co.za/guesthouse-owners-fear-amended-rates-bill/comment-page-1#comment-95 David Schoonmaker Mon, 15 Aug 2011 06:57:08 +0000 http://www.stayanight.co.za/?p=9917#comment-95 Dear Sir / Madam, Amendment of section 1 of Act 6 of 2004 - THE PROPERTY RATES AMENDMENTS BILL Paragraph “o” of the Property Rates Amendment Bill provides for the following definition of residential property: ‘Residential property’ means property of which the primary use or permitted use is for residential purposes, excluding such property used to accommodate persons other than the owner for gain;” We assume that residential property “used to accommodate persons other than the owner for gain” will be levied rates at a commercial rate. If this assumption is correct then Villa de Mer, as well as other guest houses in Port Alfred, wishes to object to this clause in the strongest possible terms on the following grounds: 1. A large number of the residential properties owned in this area are absentee owners of holiday homes, some of whom rent out these homes to holiday makers in an attempt to cover the costs of the property, thus providing for their own holidays and, in many instances, saving as a retirement home later. 2. During the past few years, the number of guest houses in Port Alfred and along the Sunshine Coast have blossomed, and have resulting in the hiring of at least 160 employees that would otherwise be unemployed. 3. Should this amendment be enacted, the effect would be to virtually double the rates, which are already amongst the highest in the country. Many of these home owners and managers of guest houses would not be able to afford the increased rates and there would, as a result, be a flood of properties for sale, thus destroying value which has been built up over many years. 4. Our monthly bill runs about R1,200 a month. Increasing this to R2,400 a month would be devastating. It makes utilities, when combined with water costs, grow to be a larger cost than labor. Occupancy of guest houses are already low, thus economics for this local industry are stressed. This would force us to increase rates, and, more than likely, would further reduce occupancy rates. The net to owners would decline, and it makes sense that many would go out of business. 5. The economy of the whole of the Sunshine Coast is primarily dependent on visitors and tourists. The effect would be a drastic decrease in the numbers of these visitors and in the numbers of potential investors. 6. This would, in turn, lead to an equally drastic knock-on effect on all the service suppliers and the people they employ. All businesses would be affected. 7. The economy of the Sunshine Coast is already in a parlous state and the people who suffer the worst are the “poorest of the poor”. We already have very high unemployment in the area and the enactment of this amendment would hugely exacerbate this situation. The area simply cannot afford this proposed legislation. 8. It would, in our opinion, be virtually impossible for the authorities to establish which properties are being rented out, and therefore, impossible to administer this amendment in a way which would be fair to everyone. 9. It is important for municipalities to recognize that renting out a property for residential / holiday purposes does not impose any additional costs on local government and there is, therefore, no justification to look for additional revenue. In this instance the State should derive additional income tax from the lessors by ensuring that any income from this source is declared. 10. Rather than looking to impose punitive rates on residential properties, which will result in job losses, the Department should be looking for ways to incentivize additional investment in these areas, thus contributing to job creation. In summary, although superficial thinking may suggest that a property which is rented out is earning income for the owner and therefore should be treated as any other commercial property, the disastrous consequences for holiday areas, such as this is, have not been thought through. In the interests of all the people in the area, we restate our strong objection to this clause and urge that it be deleted. David J. Schoonmaker, Principal Villa de Mer Guest House, Port Alfred Dear Sir / Madam,
Amendment of section 1 of Act 6 of 2004 -
THE PROPERTY RATES AMENDMENTS BILL
Paragraph “o” of the Property Rates Amendment Bill provides for the following definition of residential property:
‘Residential property’ means property of which the primary use or permitted use is for residential purposes, excluding such property used to accommodate persons other than the owner for gain;”
We assume that residential property “used to accommodate persons other than the owner for gain” will be levied rates at a commercial rate.
If this assumption is correct then Villa de Mer, as well as other guest houses in Port Alfred, wishes to object to this clause in the strongest possible terms on the following grounds:
1. A large number of the residential properties owned in this area are absentee owners of holiday homes, some of whom rent out these homes to holiday makers in an attempt to cover the costs of the property, thus providing for their own holidays and, in many instances, saving as a retirement home later.
2. During the past few years, the number of guest houses in Port Alfred and along the Sunshine Coast have blossomed, and have resulting in the hiring of at least 160 employees that would otherwise be unemployed.
3. Should this amendment be enacted, the effect would be to virtually double the rates, which are already amongst the highest in the country. Many of these home owners and managers of guest houses would not be able to afford the increased rates and there would, as a result, be a flood of properties for sale, thus destroying value which has been built up over many years.
4. Our monthly bill runs about R1,200 a month. Increasing this to R2,400 a month would be devastating. It makes utilities, when combined with water costs, grow to be a larger cost than labor. Occupancy of guest houses are already low, thus economics for this local industry are stressed. This would force us to increase rates, and, more than likely, would further reduce occupancy rates. The net to owners would decline, and it makes sense that many would go out of business.
5. The economy of the whole of the Sunshine Coast is primarily dependent on visitors and tourists. The effect would be a drastic decrease in the numbers of these visitors and in the numbers of potential investors.
6. This would, in turn, lead to an equally drastic knock-on effect on all the service suppliers and the people they employ. All businesses would be affected.
7. The economy of the Sunshine Coast is already in a parlous state and the people who suffer the worst are the “poorest of the poor”. We already have very high unemployment in the area and the enactment of this amendment would hugely exacerbate this situation. The area simply cannot afford this proposed legislation.
8. It would, in our opinion, be virtually impossible for the authorities to establish which properties are being rented out, and therefore, impossible to administer this amendment in a way which would be fair to everyone.
9. It is important for municipalities to recognize that renting out a property for residential / holiday purposes does not impose any additional costs on local government and there is, therefore, no justification to look for additional revenue. In this instance the State should derive additional income tax from the lessors by ensuring that any income from this source is declared.
10. Rather than looking to impose punitive rates on residential properties, which will result in job losses, the Department should be looking for ways to incentivize additional investment in these areas, thus contributing to job creation.
In summary, although superficial thinking may suggest that a property which is rented out is earning income for the owner and therefore should be treated as any other commercial property, the disastrous consequences for holiday areas, such as this is, have not been thought through. In the interests of all the people in the area, we restate our strong objection to this clause and urge that it be deleted.
David J. Schoonmaker, Principal
Villa de Mer Guest House, Port Alfred

]]> Comment on Guesthouse owners fear amended Rates Bill by mick http://www.stayanight.co.za/guesthouse-owners-fear-amended-rates-bill/comment-page-1#comment-91 mick Wed, 10 Aug 2011 08:55:32 +0000 http://www.stayanight.co.za/?p=9917#comment-91 <a href="" rel="nofollow">How on earth can a B&B / Guest House survive with all the charges levied against us?? If you are situated in a city or next to an airport etc. you may have a chance...But if like us you are in a small village with hardly any street lights, get the grass cut 4 times a year low unemplyment, and very few facilities and now have to pay nearl 5k in rates 5k+ in electric 2500 on water, insurance, staffing, extortionate telephonic charges, commercial rates for other facilities, advertising etc etc it is impossible to survive. I wonder if these people who make the rules actually have any brains at all. Tourists are already complaining about prices, and the effect of these changes will take a year or two to kick in..Then its to late. Where is all the support from the tourism and association bodies when you need them!!!!!!!!!! How on earth can a B&B / Guest House survive with all the charges levied against us?? If you are situated in a city or next to an airport etc. you may have a chance…But if like us you are in a small village with hardly any street lights, get the grass cut 4 times a year low unemplyment, and very few facilities and now have to pay nearl 5k in rates 5k+ in electric 2500 on water, insurance, staffing, extortionate telephonic charges, commercial rates for other facilities, advertising etc etc it is impossible to survive. I wonder if these people who make the rules actually have any brains at all. Tourists are already complaining about prices, and the effect of these changes will take a year or two to kick in..Then its to late. Where is all the support from the tourism and association bodies when you need them!!!!!!!!!!

]]> Comment on Guesthouse owners fear amended Rates Bill by Johan Smuts http://www.stayanight.co.za/guesthouse-owners-fear-amended-rates-bill/comment-page-1#comment-76 Johan Smuts Fri, 05 Aug 2011 07:36:51 +0000 http://www.stayanight.co.za/?p=9917#comment-76 As it is we basically work 24/7 to pay the utilities, the accountants (A legal requirement for a cc) and the staff.Given the current rates we can charge it is just not worth the effort. If you add another burden that will be the end of our Guest House and the jobs of our staff. As it is we basically work 24/7 to pay the utilities, the accountants (A legal requirement for a cc) and the staff.Given the current rates we can charge it is just not worth the effort.
If you add another burden that will be the end of our Guest House and the jobs of our staff.

]]> Comment on Guesthouse owners fear amended Rates Bill by Evelyn & Buster http://www.stayanight.co.za/guesthouse-owners-fear-amended-rates-bill/comment-page-1#comment-75 Evelyn & Buster Fri, 05 Aug 2011 06:06:59 +0000 http://www.stayanight.co.za/?p=9917#comment-75 We have been paying extra rates from date of registrion of the B&B.Tought this is normal, but with reading about the changes to come,will we have to pay an increase in rates. As we have to belong to the local Tourism and if not we can not operate as a B&B. We are bit confused, as when going to the Municipality , you are told "Thats the way it works" ?? We have been paying extra rates from date of registrion of the B&B.Tought this is normal, but with reading about the changes to come,will we have to pay an increase in rates. As we have to belong to the local Tourism and if not we can not operate as a B&B. We are bit confused, as when going to the Municipality , you are told “Thats the way it works” ??

]]> Comment on Guesthouse owners fear amended Rates Bill by Martin http://www.stayanight.co.za/guesthouse-owners-fear-amended-rates-bill/comment-page-1#comment-74 Martin Thu, 04 Aug 2011 21:09:01 +0000 http://www.stayanight.co.za/?p=9917#comment-74 Agreed John, I would then close the business and rather rent the rooms long term to students etc. This would then also entail de-registering as a tourism facility as well as a business declaring income and paying taxes theron. No more paying taxes and laying off the staff. The proposed legislation should rather target commercial Guest Houses/Boutique Hotels and rather leave the B&B establishments alone, where the owners live on the property and run the B&B as a small scale (4/5 rooms ?)enterprise themselves. Agreed John, I would then close the business and rather rent the rooms long term to students etc. This would then also entail de-registering as a tourism facility as well as a business declaring income and paying taxes theron. No more paying taxes and laying off the staff.

The proposed legislation should rather target commercial Guest Houses/Boutique Hotels and rather leave the B&B establishments alone, where the owners live on the property and run the B&B as a small scale (4/5 rooms ?)enterprise themselves.

]]> Comment on Guesthouse owners fear amended Rates Bill by John http://www.stayanight.co.za/guesthouse-owners-fear-amended-rates-bill/comment-page-1#comment-73 John Thu, 04 Aug 2011 15:08:35 +0000 http://www.stayanight.co.za/?p=9917#comment-73 This just might be the last nail in the coffin for many legitimate, legally operating small business owners. Many of us have no other sources of income, and many are marginal at best. The increases to water and electricity over the last three years, the recent rates hikes of 250% in our municipality, plus compulsory wage rate increases above inflation have all eaten into our meager incomes. Combine this with the global recession and the poor local economy, the end result has been low occupancy and discounted room rates for many just to survive. The minister has stated that the new legislation will NOT affect second property owners who rent their units as holiday lets or to supplement their incomes. This situation is highly unfair, as the legitimate business operators have to try to compete with these same property owners who don't register with tourism bodies, don't have to pay public liability insurance, don't market their properties or pay staff or other overheads. They rely for the most part on letting agents or estate agents to market and rent their properties at room/unit rates we can never compete with. Just how many of these property owners actually declare this additional income to SARS is a whole other question. The only outcome of this proposed legislation will be the loss of quality service providers to the detriment of tourism as a whole. It will also force legitimate business owners to "close" their doors and operate illegally or hand their letting stock to an agent to manage, thus circumventing the legislation. This just might be the last nail in the coffin for many legitimate, legally operating small business owners. Many of us have no other sources of income, and many are marginal at best. The increases to water and electricity over the last three years, the recent rates hikes of 250% in our municipality, plus compulsory wage rate increases above inflation have all eaten into our meager incomes. Combine this with the global recession and the poor local economy, the end result has been low occupancy and discounted room rates for many just to survive.
The minister has stated that the new legislation will NOT affect second property owners who rent their units as holiday lets or to supplement their incomes. This situation is highly unfair, as the legitimate business operators have to try to compete with these same property owners who don’t register with tourism bodies, don’t have to pay public liability insurance, don’t market their properties or pay staff or other overheads. They rely for the most part on letting agents or estate agents to market and rent their properties at room/unit rates we can never compete with. Just how many of these property owners actually declare this additional income to SARS is a whole other question.
The only outcome of this proposed legislation will be the loss of quality service providers to the detriment of tourism as a whole. It will also force legitimate business owners to “close” their doors and operate illegally or hand their letting stock to an agent to manage, thus circumventing the legislation.

]]> Comment on Guesthouse owners fear amended Rates Bill by Mark Crawford http://www.stayanight.co.za/guesthouse-owners-fear-amended-rates-bill/comment-page-1#comment-72 Mark Crawford Thu, 04 Aug 2011 11:45:47 +0000 http://www.stayanight.co.za/?p=9917#comment-72 With so much money being lost and stolen through corruption, this is another step to extract money that will never reach its intended goal. With so much money being lost and stolen through corruption, this is another step to extract money that will never reach its intended goal.

]]> Comment on Guesthouse owners fear amended Rates Bill by Guest House Guide! Guesthouse owners fear amended Rates Bill | Stay A NightHow To Build A House | How To Build A House http://www.stayanight.co.za/guesthouse-owners-fear-amended-rates-bill/comment-page-1#comment-71 Guest House Guide! Guesthouse owners fear amended Rates Bill | Stay A NightHow To Build A House | How To Build A House Wed, 03 Aug 2011 10:23:32 +0000 http://www.stayanight.co.za/?p=9917#comment-71 [...] post how to build a guest house: Guesthouse owners fear amended Rates Bill | Stay A Night Det här inlägget postades i Okategoriserade och har märkts med etiketterna been-approved, [...] [...] post how to build a guest house: Guesthouse owners fear amended Rates Bill | Stay A Night Det här inlägget postades i Okategoriserade och har märkts med etiketterna been-approved, [...]

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