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Preface
Cancellation of the 2006 & 2007 assessment updates
Why you received a Notice
How MPAC assesses properties
Correcting a factual error or answering your questions
Get information about your property and comparable properties
If you do not agree with your assessment
Preparing for an ARB Hearing
Preface
Your 2007 Property Assessment Notice shows the assessed value of your property based on a January 1, 2005 valuation date.
When your municipality sets 2008 property tax rates, the assessed value is used to determine your 2008 property taxes.
Education tax rates, which are set by the Government of Ontario, will also be applied to the assessed value.
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Cancellation of the 2006 & 2007 assessment updates
The assessment update of all properties in Ontario was cancelled for 2006 and 2007. Only owners whose assessment information has changed since the last update, have been sent a Notice.
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Why you received a Notice
You received a Notice this year because of:
- a change to property ownership or data;
- changes to the property’s classification or school support;
- a change to the property’s value resulting from a Request for Reconsideration or an Assessment Review Board decision; or
- a property value increase/decrease reflecting a change to the property, for example, a new structure, addition, or removal of an old structure.
Click here to see a sample Property Assessment Notice.
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How MPAC assesses properties
To establish your property’s assessed value, MPAC analyzes property sales in your community applying the Current Value Assessment method used by most assessment jurisdictions in Canada and throughout the world.
We also look at the key features of every property taking into account as many as 200 factors when assessing a residential property. Five major factors usually account for 85% of the value: location; lot dimensions; living area; age of the property, adjusted for any major renovations or additions; and quality of construction.
Other features that may affect value include: number of bathrooms; fireplaces; finished basements; garages; pools; and waterfront properties.
Site features can also increase or decrease the assessed value of your property such as: traffic pattern; corner lot properties; and proximity to a golf course, hydro corridor, railway, or green space.
Key features of your property and sales of similar properties in your community are used to determine your assessment. To learn more about how MPAC assesses properties, click here.
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Correcting a factual error or answering your questions
Review your Notice carefully to make sure the information is correct, or view the detailed information on your property by registering online or submitting a written request.
Comparing your assessment to similar properties in your neighbourhood may also be helpful in determining accuracy.
If you have any questions or concerns, please call us. If an error has been made, we will correct it. We can also explain how we arrived at your assessed value.
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Get information about your property and comparable properties
You can obtain detailed information about your property and information on up to 24 additional properties from MPAC free of charge.
This includes:
- a Property Report on six properties of your choice and six selected by MPAC through a written request; and
- twelve Detailed Property Reports for properties of your choice online through AboutMyProperty™.
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If you do not agree with your assessment
1. Contact MPAC
We want to make your experience with MPAC a positive one. Contact us with your questions or concerns.
2. Ask MPAC to review your assessment
If you feel your assessed value or classification is not correct, we will review it free of charge. You may request a review any time before December 31, 2008.
There are three ways to request a MPAC review:
- Complete a Request for Reconsideration form. Forms are available at www.mpac.ca.
- Call us toll-free at 1 866 296-MPAC (6722) to request a form.
- Write a letter requesting a review.
In your letter, please include:
- the 19-digit roll number on your Notice;
- your full name, address and phone number; and
- the reasons why you feel your assessment is not correct, including any information you have to support your claim.
3. File a Notice of Complaint
You may file a Notice of Complaint with the Assessment Review Board (ARB), an independent tribunal of the Ontario Ministry of the Attorney General.
Specific application forms and fees are involved, and you will have to appear at a hearing to support your argument. MPAC will also appear at the hearing. A complaint must be filed before March 31, 2008, even if you have already requested a review from MPAC.
For more information, contact the ARB toll-free at 1 800 263-3237 or 416 314-6900 or visit www.arb.gov.on.ca.
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Preparing for an ARB Hearing
Obtain information free of charge on additional properties from MPAC, including a Property Report containing information for up to six properties of your choice and up to six properties selected by MPAC.
Information on similar or comparable properties will be useful as you prepare for your ARB hearing. You will be asked to present comparable properties as evidence to support your position. MPAC will also present comparable properties as evidence that we will share with you prior to the hearing to help you prepare.
Ideally you should select properties that are similar to yours (for example, neighbourhood, lot size, living area, age of property and quality of construction).
Contact MPAC if you have any questions.
To view a pdf file of this information, click here.
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