Questions are arising over the assessed value of properties in Vernon.
While B.C. Assessment has stated most home owners will see modest changes in the minus five to plus-10 range in 2015, Vernon Coun. Juliette Cunningham says that’s not the case.
“Mine went up 20 per cent,” she said, adding that there have been no improvements made to her property that should influence an assessment hike.
“I’ve heard from people in my neighbourhood who are freaking out.”
Katrina LeNoury, B.C. Assessment deputy assessor, says the agency bases assessments on a range of information, including the age of the home, and aerial photographs and on-site visits are used to determine if there have been any changes to the property.
In Vernon, the average assessment has climbed from $371,000 to $396,000 for a residential property and from $176,000 to $178,000 for a strata property.
If a resident is concerned about their assessment, they can speak to a B.C. Assessment appraiser and they can apply for an appeal by Feb. 2.
