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Introduction:     

This is one of the most common issues.  We will recommend what support or evidence you will need.

• Keep in mind: you should be looking at what your property was worth around July 1 last year.
• Option before reviewing this issue: quick check on common weaknesses

Introduction:

This issue deals with the condition of your property.  Your property might be worth less if it has a problem or needs major repairs.

Keep in mind:

We must look at what the condition of your property was on October 31 last year.  For example:

• If your property was damaged before October 31 last year, we can consider it for this year's assessment.
• If the damage happened after October 31, we can only consider it for next year's assessment.

Introduction:

This issue deals with BC Assessment's description of your property.

• Your assessment is based on the type of property, the size of the land and house, age and other important factors.

• If BC Assessment's records are wrong, your assessment may also be wrong.

Introduction:

Equity or fairness appeals are probably the most complex.

• Before you start this evaluation, learn more about the principles of equity. 
• Option before reviewing the issue: quick check on common weaknesses.

Introduction:

You may be concerned that a negative factor has reduced the value of your property.  This could be:

• Traffic noise from a busy road;
• Your property is too steep;
• Your view is blocked;
• Water floods the property; or
• Other factors.

If this is your concern, continue with this issue.

If you are concerned about the condition of your own property (for example, it needs a new roof), see: there is a problem with my property or it is in poor condition.

Option before reviewing the issue: quick check on common weakness. 

Before you start: 

You can make this comparison as first step to see if there may be a problem with your assessment.  But, you will usually not succeed with this argument:

• There may be good reasons why your assessment changed differently compared with other assessments.  See common weaknesses in comparing average changes.
• Best way of getting better support: review market value using common methods.

Before you start: 

You can make this comparison as first step to see if there may be a problem with your assessment.  But, you will usually not succeed with this argument:

• There may be good reasons why your assessment is different from other assessments.
• Best way of getting better support: Review market value using common methods.

Introduction:

Your assessment will have separate values for the "land" and "improvements".  Improvements may be a house, garage or other buildings.  Review this issue if you are concerned about an increase in your improvements assessment. 

Just because there were no sales in your area, does not mean your assessment cannot increase.

• Your assessment should be at what your property was worth around July 1 last year.  This is called its market value.
   
• Even without sales, market values can increase.  There may be sales in another neighbourhood that show that values increased in your area.
   
• The best evidence is the sales of similar properties.
   
• You may need to look farther away from your neighbourhood to find sales.  We recommend you review market value using common methods.

 You are finished evaluating this issue.

You believe your assessment is higher than what your property is currently worth.  This may mean your assessment is too high.  However, you probably will not succeed with this argument, because:

• Your assessment should be at what your property was worth around July 1 last year, not what it is worth now.
• The value of your property may have changed since last July.

It is better to find similar properties that sold closer to July last year.  We recommend you review market value using common methods.

You are finished evaluating this issue.

Your assessment is based on your property’s market value.  Your local government calculates your taxes based on your property assessment.  We cannot help you reduce your taxes. 

• If your assessment is inaccurate or unfair compared to other properties, you can look at the other issues in this Guide to help you decide if you want to appeal.

We have no power to deal with taxes.

We cannot help you with this issue.

• We do not supervise BC Assessment or the first level of appeal - the Property Assessment Review Panel.
• We are completely independent from them.
• We have no power to evaluate or comment on how they behaved or how they treated you.

We can only decide if your assessment is correct and accurate.

If you are unhappy with how you were treated, you have three options:

For concerns about BC Assessment:
Contact the Assessor in your local office or their headquarters in Victoria

For concerns about Property Assessment Review Panel:
Contact the Administrator

For concerns about either organization:
Contact the Ombudsperson

This Guide does not cover all possible issues.  We may be able to help you with some other issues.

• For further information on: what you can appeal.
• For more questions: contact us.