Quote:
Originally Posted by oldcoote
The problem is that my property is fairly assessed.
But most of my neighbours are underassessed. So for some reason I'm paying my "fair share", but everyone else is getting a break.
I was told those are not grounds for appeal.
Don't get me wrong, I'm all for paying my fair share, I just find this fair market value process to be completely arbitrary. It would be better if they hired a local real estate agent to provide the assessments. Instead, it's some guy in Whitby who goes by your square footage and recent improvements, as opposed to neighbourhood character. You pay more if you own an updated house in an iffy location than you do if you own an original house in a great location.
Bottom line, don't get a building permit. You'll pay through the nose for it.  |
My bottom line would be that I paid $27K less then the assessed value within 6 weeks of the assessment date. The house was on the market for 5 months, so the 'market' had more then enough time to put a fair value on the home and that fair value is what I paid, $170K.
I know they base the assessment value on many variables, but I can't understand how my home on the same, or slightly smaller, lot size and classified as a single family home is assessed at a greater value then neighbouring houses classed as 3 unit homes (when some are actually 4). One of the key items in establishing an assessed value are features of the home, i.e. number of bathrooms, number of kitchens, etc. I can guarantee you the number of bathrooms and kitchens in a 3 unit (or 4 unit) home out number the ones in my home............
It might be worth the $75 if for no other reason to get visibility into the process.