What is e-valueBC - Compare Assessments Online?
e-value
BC - Compare Assessments Online is a free service that enables you
to check the fairness of your assessed value with similar properties at any time
during the year. You can also compare your assessed value with the selling price
of properties with similar characteristics in your neighbourhood and property owners
can display additional property details for up to eight (8) properties per search.
You may use the Quick Search to perform a simple address search or used the Advanced Search to perform a detailed Property Address information, Assessment Roll Number or Plan and Lot information search.
I am not a property owner. Can I still use e-valueBC – Compare
Assessments Online?
It is not necessary to be a property owner to view Assessment information provided you have the Property Address, the Roll Number or the Plan number of the property you want to view. You can also view detailed information for up to eight (8) additional properties per search. This information is made available to either satisfy the property owner that their assessment is fair and equitable or to confirm that they want to submit an appeal.
How do I use e-valueBC - Compare Assessments Online?
Click the e-valueBC picture on the BC Assessment home page; or select e-value
BC: Compare Assessments from the main Products & Services menu; or
click here.
Read the Terms of Use Agreement, click the box if you agree with the conditions and click Next.
Type in the address using the Quick Search or select Advanced Search.
If you select Advanced Search, select the Assessment Area where the property is located using either the drop down menu, the Map button to select it from the map or using the Find Area button. Once you have selected an area, you can choose a subject property by searching by
Property Address,
Assessment Roll Number
or
Plan/Lot. (Click each selection
to read hints about using that selection).
Once you have entered in your search criteria using either the Quick Search or the Advanced Search, click the
Compare by Address button to list properties on the same street. If you want to display properties with the same characteristics as the subject property, you may click the
Compare Sold Properties button to display properties with the same characteristics as your subject property.
Note: If your search was not specific enough to find only one subject property, a screen will display where you can choose the subject property from the list of possible matches by clicking the button to the left of the correct subject property.
By selecting the
Compare by Address button, the Results screen will provide you with a list of the properties on the same street as the subject property. If a property sold between January 1
st and October 31
st of the previous year, the sale date and price will display. See below for additional information about the fields displayed. It is recommended you compare your property with properties where the lot size and the structure are similar.
By clicking the
Compare Sold Properties button, the Results screen will list properties that are similar to the subject property and sold between January 1
st and October 31
st . A property is considered similar by comparing the use of the property i.e. residential, farm, etc, where it is located, information about the land, and the description of the building.
You can select up to eight (8) properties per search that you consider comparable to your property and view additional information about those properties. The subject property is included for comparison purposes but is not counted as one of your eight (8) properties. To access the additional information about the properties, click the
More Info button. An authentication screen will appear next where you will need to enter the characters as you see them displayed.
Note: You can access the More Information Results screen multiple times but you will be required to complete the authentication each time you view the property details.
You can print the More Information Results screen using the
Printer Friendly button, create an Excel spreadsheet, PDF the information, or send the results to an email address.
Are all properties listed in e-valueBC – Compare Assessments
Online?
Most taxable properties in B.C. are included with the exception of recreational
properties such as parks and playing fields, and major industrial properties such
as pulp mills and utilities.
What data is listed when I use e-valueBC - Compare Assessments
Online?
Property Address
This is the street address of the property. If
Compare by Address
is selected, the properties displayed will all be on the street selected on the
Search screen. If
Compare Sold Properties is selected, only sold
properties display and the street addresses may cover a wider area.
Property Assessment Value
From January 1
st to the middle of March, the assessment values displayed are from the Property Assessment Notices. This is the value of the property on July 1
st of the previous year.
In mid March these values are updated to include changes made by the
Property Assessment Review Panels (PARP) but still reflect the valuation date of July 1
st of the previous year.
Why is the total assessment value displayed, rather than separate
values for land and improvements (buildings)?
For most properties, taxes are calculated on the total value of a property, so the
best comparisons are those made based on total value, which includes land and improvements.
Why do properties marked as 'Section 19 (8)', 'Farm Land' and
'Unfinished' have a lower assessed value?
Properties labelled as Section 19 (8) and Farm in the Comments section of the returned
Property Details refers to distinct properties that qualify for special valuation
rules.
Section 19 (8) of the Assessment Act allows certain residential land to be assessed
at a lower value than its market value where the owner qualifies and the property
has potential for development for a more valuable use than its current use. For
more information about Section 19 (8) and eligibility requirements please read
our Section 19(8) of the Assessment Act: Special assessments for
certain long term residents Fact Sheet.
Similarly, farm land is assessed at a prescribed lower value than its market value
where the land qualifies for farm classification. For more information about farm
classification and eligibility requirements please read our
Classifying Farm Land Fact Sheet
Sale Date and Sale Price
If a property sold between January 1
st and October 31
st of the previous calendar year, the sale date and price will display on the Results screen.
Only properties that sold for market value are included. Market value is often described as the price an unencumbered property would sell for, as of July 1
st , if a reasonable amount of time is allowed to find a purchaser.
Examples of sales not included are properties sold during an estate sale, divorce or where several properties or other merchandise were sold as part of the sales transaction.
Sales of vacant land are not included if the property now has a building.
Description
The description is an attempt to let you know the differences in the houses that you are using for comparison.
The description may also include information about the quality.
The description and quality affect the value so try to compare properties that are similar in description and quality the subject property.
The descriptions are ranked from lowest quality to highest as follows:
Basic
Standard
Semi Custom
Custom
Area, Jurisdiction, Roll Number
This is the information at the top right of the Assessment Notice. If you have an
inquiry and contact the assessment office, they may ask you for this information.
Comments
Click
here for a list of information
that may appear in the comments field.
More Information
The details displayed on the More Information Results screen are:
For residential properties:
Year Built
Number of bedrooms
Number of bathrooms
First Floor Area
Second Floor Area
Basement Finish Area
Strata Area
Carport
Garage
Land Size
For commercial properties:
Year Built
Land size
Building Stories
Gross Leasable Area
Net Leasable Area
Number of units (this could be apartment units, motel units or hotel rooms)
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 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. You can select a maximum of 8 properties plus your
subject property per search. If you are not satisfied with your comparison, you
may go back and select another 8 properties to compare.
I have accessed More Information Results but do not have enough
information to decide if my assessment is fair and equitable or if I want to appeal.
What do I do now?
If you require additional information in order to satisfy yourself that your property assessment is fair and equitable, Refer to your Assessment Notice for contact information. BCA staff there will provide you with additional information free-of-charge.
How can I get a copy of the results of my search?
Printing
The Results screen and the More Information Results screen can be printed using
the
Printer Friendly button. Click
here for help.
Email
The Results screen and the More Information Results screen have an option to email
the information for printing later. Click
here for help.
Excel Spreadsheet
The Results screen and the More Information Results screen have an option to create
an Excel spreadsheet. Click
here
for help.
PDF
The Results screen and the More Information Results screen have an option to create
a PDF document. Click
here for
help.
What about Privacy?
BC Assessment provides property assessment and property sales information on its
website to promote an open, transparent and accessible property assessment appeal
process and, for example, to help property owners determine if their property assessment
is fair. This information must be provided to property owners so that they are able
to make informed decisions on whether to appeal their property assessment by the
filing deadline.
The e-value
BC information that is provided is in accordance with the confidentiality
requirements contained in the Assessment Act and the Freedom of Information and
Protection of Privacy Act.
I want to appeal my assessment. What do I do next?
If you find that your assessment is not fair or accurate, contact the assessment
office listed on your Assessment Notice. Often talking with an appraiser in the
local office will resolve the issue. If you still want to file an appeal after these
discussions, you have until January 31
st 2013 to file an
Appeal (Notice of Complaint) against the 2013 Assessment
Roll.
I have moved and did not receive an Assessment Notice
Complete the change of address form at
Address Change Form 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 Finance (B.C. Government).
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 Finance.
My question was not answered here.
For additional information, please use the
Contact Us tab on our Website.