Province Makes Assessment Appeals More Accessible

The province is moving to ensure businesses and homeowners can have their assessment appeals heard in a timely manner.

Effective April 1, the province is increasing the per-diem rate for lawyers who sit on the Regional Assessment Appeal Court to $300 per half-day session, from $165.

The Regional Assessment Appeal Court hears from owners who feel their property has been improperly assessed. The court is the usual recourse for Nova Scotians to appeal their property's assessed value.

"The Regional Assessment Appeal Court helps our property assessment system run smoothly," said John MacDonell, Minister responsible for Service Nova Scotia and Municipal Relations.

"If we don't have people to hear these cases, Nova Scotians won't be able to appeal their property assessments and have their cases heard as quickly as they should."

Members of the Regional Assessment Appeal Court have not received a raise in more than 15 years, which made it harder to attract lawyers to hear appeals.

There are currently 13 lawyers who hear assessment appeals. In 2009, the court heard 380 appeals across the province.

By law, appeals must be heard in the municipality where the property is located.

The raise adds $35,000 to the total cost of offering assessment appeals and the Regional Assessment Appeal Court will now cost the province $110,000 annually.