Property Assessment:

• What is the difference between a complaint and an appeal?
• How long do I have to file a complaint against my current property assessment?
• What happens if I miss the deadline?
• When do hearings take place?
• Who can I contact to inquire about the status of my complaint?
• What is good evidence?
• What information is available to help me prepare for my hearing?
• Am I required to attend the hearing in person?

A complaint is the first formal step in correcting an error to your property assessment or changing the assessed value or classification of your property. An appeal can be filed with the Property Assessment Appeal Board only after the Panel has heard your complaint.

You must file your complaint by January 31. (For 2010 only, the deadline for filing a complaint has been extended to February 1, 2010 because January 31 falls on a Sunday.)

If you file after January 31 (or after February 1 for 2010 only), the Property Assessment Review Panel must determine if there are reasons for it to exercise its discretion and hear a late complaint. If the Panel determines your complaint was filed after the deadline and sees no reason to exercise its discretion, it will not hear your complaint. However, you still can appeal this decision to the Property Assessment Appeal Board.

Property Assessment Review Panel hearings are held on weekdays between February 1 and March 15 each year.

Your local BC Assessment area office is responsible for scheduling your complaint and sending you a Notice of Hearing. If you have not received your Notice of Hearing by March 1, please contact the local BC Assessment office listed on the front of your Property Assessment Notice, or the Property Assessment Review Panel administration at parp@gov.bc.ca or by phone at 250-356-7535.

Good evidence will support the change you wish to see to your property assessment.  For example, if you think that your property is assessed too high, then you need to bring relevant property information that supports this position. Relevant property information is the address, lot size, living area and age of your property and of comparable properties in the same neighbourhood. You are also strongly encouraged to provide sales information from comparable properties that sold close to July 1 of the previous year. You can obtain sales information from BC Assessment, realtors, and your local Multiple Listing Service (MLS).

We have prepared a guide that walks you through the steps of filing a complaint and preparing for your hearing. You can access the online guide, download a copy to print, or contact us to request a copy be mailed to you.

No, you are not required to attend your Property Assessment Review Panel hearing in person. If you are unable to attend your hearing, you may appoint a representative or agent to appear and present evidence on your behalf. Alternatively, you can submit a written statement of evidence for the Panel to consider. All evidence presented to a Panel either verbally or written is reviewed and considered prior to a Panel making its decision. In certain circumstances, with prior approval and arrangement, if the parties are unable to travel to the hearing location, hearings can be conducted by conference call.