I can’t find Assessments by Address (ASBA), how do I look up properties?

e-valueBC – Compare Assessments Online is the new name for our signature customer offering previously known as Assessments and Sales by Address. The URL is: http://www.bcassessment.ca/asba/index0.aspx Searching for property information by Property Address, Assessment Roll Number or Plan/Lot is available all year. Our valuation date is 01 July of the previous year. For 2009 only, sales displayed are from 01 Jan 2007 – 31 Oct 2008. The Compare Sold Properties button which enables you to view properties similar to the subject property that have sold are available from 01 January – 15 March. In January, home owners can access “More Information” for up to eight (8) properties. Your Assessment Notice has the Assessment Roll Number and matching PIN that are required to access “More Information”

I am not a property owner. Can I still use e-valueBC – Compare Assessments Online?

Anyone can view Assessments by Address or Sold Properties provided you have a property address or Plan to search. Property owners can view additional information for up to eight (8) properties. This information is made available to either satisfy the property owner that their assessment is fair and equitable or that they want to submit an appeal.

How do I appeal my assessment?

Check your assessment by looking at the assessments of similar properties on your street and properties with similar characteristics that have sold. If you find that your assessment is not fair or accurate, contact the assessment office listed on your assessment notice to discuss the steps for an appeal.

How are the property descriptions ranked?

The Descriptions are an attempt to let you know the differences in the houses that you are using for comparison. The description informs you if the houses are approximately the same quality so that you know whether or not they are comparable to your property. The descriptions are ranked from poorest quality to best as follows:

Minimal
Basic
Fair
Moderate
Average/Standard
Good
Semi Custom
Custom
Excellent

What information is only available on the More Information Results screen?

For residential properties:

Year Built
Number of bedrooms
Number of bathrooms
1st Floor Area
Upper Floor Area
Basement Finish Area
Carport
Garage
Land Size

For commercial properties:

Year Built
Land size
Gross Leasable Area
Net Leasable Area
Number of units (this could be apartment units, motel units or hotel rooms)

This information is available until Midnight PST on February 2nd 2009. You must have an Assessment Roll Number and PIN to access More Information.

How do I choose the properties to view on the “More Information Results” screen?

Click the check box beside the properties that you think have similar characteristics to your property. If you selected your property as the subject property on the e-valueBC – Compare Assessments Online search screen, your property is automatically included for comparison. You do not need to choose it as part of your selection and it is not counted as one of the eight (8) property details selected. If you return to the Property Details screen at a later date, the properties you selected previously will display.

Why am I restricted to viewing “More Information Results” for only eight (8) properties?

BC Assessment is required to provide information about four (4) properties per owner each year. This information is made available to either satisfy the property owner that their assessment is fair and equitable or that they want to submit an appeal. In order to deliver better customer service, we provide information about twice the required number of properties. We chose to restrict this information to avoid abuse and the resulting privacy issues. If you require additional information in order to satisfy yourself that your property assessment is fair and equitable, contact the assessment office noted on your Assessment Notice and staff there will provide you with additional information free-of-charge.

Why is the “More Information Results” screen removed from e-valueBC – Compare Assessments Online on February 2nd?

A property owner has until February 2nd to file an Appeal (Notice of Complaint) against the 2009 Assessment Roll.

I have accessed “More Information Results” for eight (8) properties but do not have enough information to decide if my assessment is fair and equitable or if I want to appeal. What do I now?

The maximum number of property details a property owner may select electronically each year is eight (8) per Assessment Roll Number/PIN combination. Once you have reached the maximum the system is unable to return any more results. If you require more assessment information, we recommend that you contact the local assessment office. Contact information is on your assessment notice or click here.

I’ve selected eight (8) properties and I want to appeal my assessment, what do I do next?

You can submit an Appeal (Notice of Complaint) form on-line or print the form and mail or fax it to the assessment office. You are encouraged to include as much detail as possible in the comments section of the form. Additionally, you may present the property details as evidence during a hearing before a Property Assessment Review Panel. A step by step guide to appealing your assessment is available here.

I have moved and did not receive an assessment notice

Complete the change of address form at http://www.bcassessment.bc.ca/asba/address_change_form.asp and check the box near the bottom of the form requesting a reprint assessment notice. When you submit the form, it will automatically go to the assessment office you have specified.

How do I get the Home Owner Grant (HOG)?

Click here to go to the website for the HOG program which is administered by the Ministry of Small Business and Revenue.

How can I take part in the property tax deferment program?

Click here to go to the website for the property tax deferment program which is administered by the Ministry of Small Business and Revenue.