Property Valuation Tenders: A Guide for SA Valuers

The Scale of Government Property Valuation

Every municipality in South Africa is legally required by the Municipal Property Rates Act (MPRA) to update its General Valuation Roll (GV) at least once every 4 to 5 years. This process involves valuing every single property within the municipal boundary—from residential homes to massive industrial complexes. These tenders are massive, multi-year contracts often worth tens of millions of rands.

Types of Valuation Tenders

1. General Valuation Roll (GV)

The compilation of the entire roll. This requires a large team of candidate valuers, data capturers, and IT systems to manage bulk valuations.

2. Supplementary Valuation Rolls

Ongoing maintenance of the roll to account for new subdivisions, consolidations, and rezoning. These are often separate, smaller contracts.

3. Asset Register Valuations

Government departments (like Public Works) need their own assets valued for Grap 17 accounting compliance. These are distinct from rating valuations.

Essential Requirements for Valuers

The barrier to entry is high. To bid, you typically need:

• SACPVP Registration: The nominated Municipal Valuer must be a registered Professional Valuer (Pr Val) with the South African Council for the Property Valuers Profession.
• Professional Indemnity: High cover (often R5m+) is required due to the risk of valuation errors impacting municipal revenue.
• Valuation Management System (VMS): Proof that you possess or license software capable of handling mass appraisal data.

The Risk Factor: Objections and Appeals

A successful tender isn't just about producing values; it's about defending them. During the public inspection period, ratepayers will lodge objections. Your tender price must account for the time and expertise required to handle these objections and appear before the Valuation Appeal Board.

Conclusion

Property valuation for the state is a high-stakes, high-reward sector. It demands strict statutory compliance with the MPRA and significant operational capacity. For firms that can deliver, the contracts provide long-term stability.