As homeowners, we all want our property assessments to reflect the true market value of our homes so that we don’t end up paying higher property taxes than our neighbours. In British Columbia, property assessments are a crucial factor in determining property taxes. However, discrepancies may arise, leading homeowners to question their accuracy and what they can do about it.
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Understanding the Assessment Process
In British Columbia, properties must be assessed at their market value. While the assessment notice provides the average percent change for your municipality, it is essential to recognize that this percentage encompasses various residential properties. Different neighbourhoods and housing types often experience different rates of change.
Comparing Assessments to Market Value
Homeowners can determine if their assessment aligns with market value as of July 1st of the previous year by visiting BC Assessment’s website. Search your property address and focus on similar properties that sold around the evaluation date. Look for sales with similar characteristics, such as location, lot size, number of stories, construction quality, building area, and age.
Consideration for Property Damage
If your property has suffered damage from natural forces like fire, flood, or erosion, and it was not repaired or replaced by October 31st, this should be factored into your latest assessment value. BC Assessment uses various sources to identify affected properties, including mapping, emergency service notifications, and self-reporting by property owners.
Negative Factors Affecting Property
If you believe negative factors like traffic noise, lot shape, or proximity to businesses have not been considered, provide factual support using market sales. BC Assessment appraisers assess the impact of negative influences on market value by comparing sales of properties with and without those influences.
No Sales in the Neighborhood
In areas with limited or no sales for comparison, BC Assessment may use sales from previous years or similar areas outside the neighborhood to determine assessments. If finding comparable sales is challenging, contacting BC Assessment for assistance should be your next step.
Improvements – Additions, Renovations, and Changing Construction Costs
Assessments provide distinct values for land and buildings. If recent additions or renovations have boosted your building value, check BC Assessment’s website for updated information. It’s important to note that there might be a delay between the actual change and when it gets incorporated into your new assessment. Changes in construction costs and market demand can influence building values. If your house’s value has risen without your involvement, investigate whether construction costs have increased or if there’s heightened demand for your property type.
Appeal Process:
Before filing an official Notice of Complaint (Appeal), review your assessment and sales of similar properties using BC Assessment’s tools. If concerns persist, contact BC Assessment for discussion before the January 31, 2024, deadline.
Property Assessment Review Panel (PARP):
The first level of appeal is to the PARP. Ensure you file a complaint with PARP before April 30, 2024, for a 2024 Assessment.
Property Assessment Appeal Board (PAAB):
If not satisfied with the PARP decision, you can appeal to the PAAB by April 30 of each year. Remember to file a complaint with PARP first.
How Your Property Assessment Affects Property Tax
The relationship between property assessments and property taxes may not be as straightforward as people think. While a significant change in assessed value might seem like it would lead to a proportional change in property taxes, the most important factor is how that change compares to the average change for your property class in your area.
Your property class is a category that includes various types of properties, like single-family homes, townhomes, and condos. The average change is calculated at this property class level, considering the different types of properties within it. For instance, if single-family homes decrease in value, but townhomes and condos increase, the overall average for the property class might still increase.
Here are two examples to illustrate this:
Example A: If your property’s assessed value is $540,000, with a 20% increase, but the average increase for your property class is 30%, you’ll likely see a decrease in property taxes. This is because your property’s increase is less than the average for your property class.
Example B: On the other hand, if your property’s assessed value is $630,000, with a 40% increase, and the average increase for your property class is 30%, you’ll likely see an increase in property taxes. Your property’s increase is more than the average for your property class.
It’s essential to understand that an increase in assessment doesn’t automatically mean higher property taxes. The changes in property taxes are generally influenced by how your assessment change compares to the average assessment change in your community.
Disputing a property assessment may seem complex, but armed with knowledge about the assessment process and available tools, homeowners can navigate the system effectively.
BC Assessment offers resources and avenues for addressing concerns, guaranteeing the fairness and accuracy of your property’s value. Feel free to seek support and pursue an appeal if needed, ensuring that your property assessment accurately reflects market realities.
