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Senior feels he has been unfairly treated by assessment office

Dear editor,
8645727_web1_Letter-to-the-Editor

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