Background on equity appeals:

Equity is one of the more complex issues to deal with because you need to examine both the assessments of similar properties, and their market values. Equity looks at how the properties are assessed relative to their market values. The hard part in doing this research is you often do not know the market values of other properties – unless they sold.

You need to demonstrate that your property is assessed higher (relative to its market value) than a group of similar properties (relative to their market values).

For example:

You believe the market value of your property is $300,000 but it is assessed at $340,000.  Your level of assessment is $340,000 divided by $300,000 = 113%.  Your assessment is 13% over market value.  If the average assessments of properties in your area are 95% of their market value (or 5% under assessed), then you could argue that your property should also be under assessed by this amount.

Normally, it is not enough to pick one or two other properties, because we usually look at all similar properties in your neighbourhood or area.

To start your discussion with BC Assessment in the Online Dispute Resolution (ODR) website:

Ask yourself: why do I think my property assessment is not fair or equitable with other similar properties in my area?

See the Equity Guide for details on how you can research equity.  You do not have to do all this analysis, but this will show you what type of support will be useful. This documentation will be required if your appeal proceeds to adjudication.

If you think you have good support, send a message to BC Assessment in the ODR website and include the following:

• List of properties or groups of properties that you think demonstrates that your assessment is inequitable.
• Explain why you think are assessment is not fair and include any analysis you have done.

Note:
You should also review the material in Do I have a strong case.