What options are there for people who cannot afford the extra levy?

Firstly, there is a means-tested rebate mechanism already in place with the City. For those with low enough income, rates will be rebated, which means that the cost of the CID is also rebated, up to 100%

For those whose income isn’t low enough for the City’s rebate, we’ve arranged discounted pricing for a product known as a “reverse mortgage.” Please contact us for further details about this, if you fall into this category.

We think that it’s reasonable to say that an effective CID will enhance property values relative to what they would be in the absence of a CID, and the cost of the CID is in the region of 0.1% of value. So even if you have to borrow the money to pay for it, it at least pays for itself.