Did anyone find the BC Assessment figures for 2010 to be way out to lunch? I did. In the Pinewood Neighborhood, all properties went up by about 20 per cent from 2009.
With the average increase in Prince George stated as five per cent, we can all expect a hefty tax increase above the 4.5 per cent rate increase declared by city council.
Talking to friends, family and co-workers, I have found exactly two people whose property value has gone down, and not by any significant amount.
I spoke to the local BC Assessment representative and had her out to my house for an inspection. I found her to be uninterested in anything I had to show her.
Everything was either "a maintenance issue," or "had no bearing on value." After that, I filed a Notice of Complaint so I could take the case before the Property Assessment Review Panel.
Several weeks later I appeared before the PARP.
I had received an email from BC Assessment including a list of comparable properties to be used for the hearing. I was also warned that because of recent updates, they would be forced to recommend an increase should I choose to pursue a hearing.
I had no intention of backing down.
I suspected that they were trying to scare me into dropping my case, and I was determined to call them out on it.
At the hearing, I found the PARP to be relying heavily on BC Assessment's expertise. Many of the points I made to the panel, they directed to the BC Assessment reps, asking if they had any effect on value. Not surprisingly, they responded, "statistically, no." The panel was also not interested in discussing the discrepancies between BC Assessment's reported figures, and actual results.
The BC Assessment representative did not recommend an increase after all. I called their bluff, and they did not disappoint. I no longer believe that they are fair and open. They use dirty tactics to keep people from challenging them.
I reject the BC Assessment's five per cent average increase figure as blatantly false and find the complaint process to be biased and intentionally confusing.
I encourage other people to talk to friends and neighbors and to challenge BC Assessment to provide evidence of their findings.
Edward Ross
Prince George
