While Burnaby property owners planning to sell their homes may be pleased with a higher property value, not everyone was happy to see the jump on their property assessments this month.
Dave Stafford, who spoke with the NOW about his increase last year, had another large increase this year, he said.
"There's something wrong with the system," he said. "The whole system has gone crazy."
The 78-year-old Air Canada retiree saw his property at 4457 Watling St. go up to $932,600 in this year's assessment - an increase of 22.5 per cent over last year.
Stafford's 2011 assessment for the three bedroom home built in 1957 was $760,800.
Young people coming out of university, getting married and planning a life together cannot afford to buy a home these days, he pointed out.
"On a monthly basis, my taxes were $213 last year," he said, adding it was up from $184 the year before. He didn't count sewage and water rates in those amounts, which he pointed out have also increased.
People don't challenge their assessments because they don't know what their property taxes are until April, but appeals have to be filed by Jan. 31, Stafford said.
He doesn't plan to challenge this year's assessment and didn't challenge last year's because he can afford it, he said.
"When you work it out, it's $7 a day," he said. "But you know, you do scratch your head."
Homeowners in Burnaby saw an increase in assessed values this year, on average, from five to 15 per cent.
Zina Weston, deputy assessor for B.C. Assessment's North Fraser region, said Burnaby homeowners should contact the office if they have concerns about their assessments.
"My advice is for them to give their local office a call," she said, "because staff here are quite willing to explain, based on market evidence, the assessed value that they see on their notice."
Homeowners can still file for an appeal and can also call the office even if they've already filed an appeal but want clarification on their assessment, she said.
"Every year, some number of owners will file a written appeal without having called, and in most cases, we will try to still initiate contact and see if we can either resolve or hear their issues prior," she said. "But that certainly doesn't prevent the appeal from continuing."
Appeals are typically based on the owner's opinion of value, she said, adding other factors include ownership changes or legislative exemptions.
As assessments are done based on home values on July 1, homeowners may see a change in the market value of their home by the time they receive the assessment the following January, Weston pointed out.
According to Weston, appraisers look at size, age, quality, condition, location, view, traffic and other factors that
ord affect property value, and staff can explain those factors and discuss whether the office is aware of specific features.
Homeowners can find comparative information on homes in their area on the B.C. Assessment website, she pointed out, to help them understand the assessment value amount.
Those without computers can access the website at their local assessment office, Weston said.
For those who still wish to appeal, notices of complaint must be submitted in writing by Jan. 31 to the property assessment review panel, she said.
Information about the notice of complaint process is also available online, on the Fact Sheets page under Forms and Publications at www.bcassessment.bc.ca.
The panel's hearings take place between Feb. 1 and March 15 annually, but appointment availability may be limited, according to the website.
The provincial government is offering homeowner grants to help residents with property taxes.
The grants offer a maximum reduction of $570 for Burnaby homes, with $275 more available to those 65 or over, those with permanent disabilities and veterans of certain wars, according to a press release from B.C.'s Ministry of Finance.
The province also has property tax deferral options available for homeowners over 55, those with disabilities, and families with children, the release added.
Deferment programs are low-interest loan programs, making it possible for residents to defer taxes until they sell or transfer ownership of their homes, or leave it behind as part of their estate.
Applications are available when property tax notices are sent in the spring.
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