If you recently got stunned when you opened your Houston Heights property tax assessment notice, you’re not alone. It is not rare for property owners to see major increases in their property tax bills because of home value increases, boundary shifts, and other changes. The good thing is there are things you can do pertaining to an unfair property assessment increase. If the increase is that big, this may give you a rationale for objecting to it, mainly if it seems out of line with other properties in your area.
Even supposing objecting to a property assessment increase may seem stressful and nerve-racking, it’s more common than you think it is. About 20% to 40% of property owners can successfully lower their property tax bills by objecting to their property assessment, saving a lot of money in the process. In subsequent paragraphs, we’ll tackle how to object to a property assessment increase and probably minimize your property tax bill for the subsequent year.
Step 1: Gather Evidence
If you really think your tax assessment has increased by mistake, your first move will be to contact your tax assessor and have them explain how they determined your property’s value. The increase may be clarified as something as uncomplicated as an assessor inputting the incorrect square footage or the wrong number of bedrooms for your property. If the cause for the increase isn’t quickly noticeable, you will need to carry on additional investigation. It would help if you tried to determine a few comparable properties that just recently got sold in your area. If they sold for a lot less than your property assessment, that could be solid grounds for your objection. Be sure to check your local laws and regulations.
Step 2: Look Up the Appeals Process
Objecting to a property assessment may look rather different from county to county. Therefore, you’ll need to be certain to look up the appeals procedure for your particular location. You can frequently obtain this information on the county website or the tax assessor’s website. You may be able to download the forms needed to file an appeal from their sites. Pay close attention to dates or timeframes. You ought to file an appeal within 90 days in numerous places, though that number gets to as low as 30 days in other counties. Furthermore, some locations accept appeals within a very certain window of time. To be certainly sure you are using your time efficiently and to increase your chances of success, be sure to follow the procedure exactly as it is written.
Step 3: File and Argue Your Case
As soon as you have the documents prepared and have included your evidence, it’s time to file your appeal with the county. Again, make it a point to follow the process as outlined on the county or tax assessor’s website. You may have to pay a small filing fee; make sure to do so by means of using an approved method. You should then obtain a notification supposing a hearing on your appeal has been scheduled. See to it to attend the hearing, or if you can’t go in person, have a representative go in your place. Your appeal won’t be considered if you don’t show up for the hearing. Take any required documents and copies; you’ll have your turn to argue your case and, if lucky, have your property assessment adjusted to more accurately reflect the current value.
Objecting to your property assessment increase can help rental property owners keep their expenses under control. But indeed, it does take time, and there are many steps involved that you need to know and follow conscientiously to increase your chances of success. If you’d want to have Houston Heights property management professionals by your side to effectively help you maximize your rental income, call Real Property Management Heritage. We offer numerous valuable services to rental property owners like you that can help you keep your costs down and the rental income coming in. Contact us online or call 832-449-5263 today!
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