Negative factors (e.g. noise) reduce the value of my property:

Property owners often state that a negative factor has reduced the value of their property.  For example:

• Traffic noise from a busy road;
• Noise or odours from a neighbouring property;
• Site is too steep;
• View is impaired; or
• The lot is subject to flooding.

The key is to determine your property’s market value as of July 1^st last year.  Your assessed value should also take into account the negative factor (if it does, in fact, reduce your value).

To demonstrate the impact of a negative factor on your property’s value, you could look for evidence, such as:

• Sales of properties that are similar to yours and also have this negative factor.  Ask yourself: how close is your assessment to these sale prices?
• Sales of properties that are very similar to yours except they do not have this negative factor.  Are the sale prices significantly different from your assessment?
• An appraiser or realtor’s opinion (preferably written) stating that, in their experience, what impact this negative factor has on the price of properties in your area.

For guidance on determining market value, click on researching market value.

My property requires repairs:

This issue is described under: The description, including the condition of my property is wrong, creating an inaccurate assessment

Also see researching support on condition

My assessment went up more that my neighbour’s or average for the area:

Often property owners look at how their assessment changed compared to other properties.  Looking at this may help you figure out if your assessment is possibly wrong.  However, it is rarely considered strong evidence in an appeal to the Board.  This is because there may be good reasons why your assessment changed at a higher rate.  

• There may be differences between your property and other properties.  For example: the property across the street has a superior view; view properties increased more than other properties.
• Last year’s assessments may be wrong – so the percentage change in the assessments is in doubt.  You will need to demonstrate that the change in your assessment is not simply due to correcting the assessed value – possibly you were under assessed last year.  

It is usually easier and much more effective to look for sales evidence on your property’s market value.   (Rather then spending too much time comparing different assessments). 

For guidance click on researching market value.

My improvement assessment went up, but my property did not change:

Your assessment splits the total value between “land” and “improvements”.  Improvements may be a house, garage, or other buildings. 

Sometimes homeowners say: “How could my improvement assessment go up from last year?  It is one year older and I haven’t made any renovations”.   Before you spend too much time examining this concern, we suggest you keep in mind: 

• Sometimes your house value can increase, even if it stays completely the same.  For example, increasing costs of building can drive up the prices that buyers will pay for older improvements.  Or, in a rising market, the overall market value of the property may increase, and when BC Assessment allocates this total value to land and buildings, both may increase.
• It is often difficult to know whether the specific dollar amount assigned to improvements versus land is correct.  This is because when a house sells no one really knows how much the buyer paid for the house versus the land.  We only know how much the total package is worth based on the selling price.   
• It is possible that the value assigned to your building may be too high.  However, it is also possible that your land value may be too low.  You are taxed on the total assessment.  That is what the Board normally concentrates on.  

It is usually easier and much more effective to look for sales evidence on your property’s total market value.   (Rather then spending too much time concentrating on just land or improvements).  

For guidance click on researching market value.

My assessment is higher than other properties

Property owners often compare their assessments with others in their area.  This may help you figure out if your assessment is possibly wrong.  However, usually these comparisons are not strong evidence in an appeal to the Board.  This is because there may be good reasons why your assessment is different than others. 

1.  Is your property different?  

If your property has significant differences compared with others, it is reasonable to expect the assessments to be different.  Assessment is based on a property’s market value.  Properties with superior characteristics should have higher assessments.  Properties with inferior characteristics should have lower assessments.

It is usually easier and more accurate to look for similar properties that sold. 

For guidance click on researching market value. 

2.  If your property is quite similar to the others:  

It is possible that the other properties are assessed correctly at their market values and yours is over assessed above its market value.  You can continue with these comparisons, however, you must be able to provide evidence on what these other properties are worth.  This is difficult unless they have recently sold.

It is usually easier and more accurate look for similar properties that sold.  For guidance click on researching market value.

It is also possible that the other properties are under assessed.  This issue is called equity or fairness.  The law says that you are entitled to an assessment that is accurate and consistent with similar properties in your taxing jurisdiction.

For guidance click on researching equity.