Dear editor,
I am a 74-year-old Comox Valley homeowner and I feel I was targeted and unfairly treated by the BC Assessment office in Courtenay.
I saw a property owner on my street had a decrease of $198,000, in 2011.
My assessment (land only) remained the same, for a lot just marginally smaller.
I went to the BC Assessment office in Courtenay. to question why I had not received a decrease.
I received a phone call a few days later saying the only way my assessment could be lowered would be writing a letter requesting a reassessment.
My reassessment resulted in an increase of $61,000 to my buildings and unmade improvements.
One small shed on my property, built by a builder, cost $9,300 and the assessor valued it at $31,100.
I was told in order to get it lowered I would have to get an estimate. Spending time and costs I came up with estimates of $11,500.
The assessor did not accept these estimates, and told me the value stays at $31,100.
The assessment office raised the value of my 14-year old modular home by 67 per cent in one year (2014). I inquired around my area and found other manufactured homes increased between three and seven per cent.
I took this matter to the appeal board. The Courtenay office got a lawyer from Victoria. When it came to the final decision the lawyer and Courtenay assessor persuaded the panel to have the value stay.
I received an email from the Courtenay office lawyer saying if I went to the media I could be subject to civil action.
I wonder how many others are being treated this way?
Richard Kisiloski
Fanny Bay
