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Assessment Jump Shows Continued Flaws in Cap Program |
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Written by NDP News Release
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Monday, 20 February 2006 |
NDP Service Nova Scotia and Municipal Relations Critic Graham Steele is calling on Service Nova Scotia and Municipal Relations Minister Barry Barnet to automate his department's property assessment cap program after learning about the 390% increase between the notice of assessment and actual assessment one property owner recently received.
"This example highlights the flaws and unfairness of the provincial assessment program," says Steele. "Homeowners should not be subject to unjustified assessment increases with the only recourse being a tedious appeal process."
Steele raised the assessment issue after learning about Helene Bezanson's recent property assessment jump. Ms. Bezanson received a notice of assessment in June 2005 indicating her 2006 property assessment for a small property in Fox Point was estimated to rise by 3.8% to $30,300. At that time, the rise did not meet the requirements for Service Nova Scotia's cap program and she did not apply for the
cap.
When Ms. Bezanson received her 2006 property assessment in January 2006, she was notified her actual assessment would be $143,000, a 390% increase over her 2005 assessment.
"If Ms. Bezanson had any idea what kind of increase she was in for, there is no doubt that she would have applied for the cap, but she didn't and now must fight out an appeal with Service Nova Scotia. Is this really the fairest way to deal with homeowners? I think even the Minister would agree that it isn't."
"The cap program should not require a separate application. If you meet the criteria for the cap, it should be applied automatically.
"The Conservatives cannot continue to subject Nova Scotians to whimsical assessment increases and ineffective programs for managing these costs to homeowners. They simply can and must do better." |
