News release

Northern Region Assessments Up Three Per Cent

Service Nova Scotia and Municipal Relations (Oct. 2000 - March 2014)

SERVICE N.S./MUNICIPAL RELATIONS--Northern Region Assessments Up Three Per Cent


Assessment notices are in the mail to about 535,000 Nova Scotia property owners today. Service Nova Scotia and Municipal Relations Minister Angus MacIsaac said this year's assessment shows that property values have increased four per cent, or more than $1.8 billion, over 2001.

The higher property values represent a strong real estate market in Nova Scotia over the past few years. Residential properties increased by 4.5 per cent or $1.3 billion. Commercial property values are up by about 3.5 per cent or $457.8 million. All properties were assessed as of January 1, 2000.

In the Northern Region, which includes East Hants, Colchester, Cumberland and Pictou counties, total assessment has increased three per cent, or $239 million. Residential assessment is up 2.8 per cent, or $128 million, and commercial assessment has increased 5.6 per cent or $102 million.

"Increasing property values have been a trend in Nova Scotia over the past several years," said Kathy Gillis, director of assessment operations. "Assessments are determined using real market data including real estate sales, business permits and other information."

The market value approach allows the Department of Service Nova Scotia and Municipal Relations to carefully generate assessment values with the same principles and standards applied across the province. Market value is the most widely accepted and understood standard and is used in every province in Canada, as well as 128 countries. Municipalities set and collect property taxes and the municipality uses property assessments to determine how much tax a property owner must pay.

"The market value system is the fairest and most common assessment system used within North America," said Ms. Gillis. "Property owners generally understand the value of their own property and can quickly judge whether the assessed value is fair." If a property owner does not feel the assessment reflects the value of the property, the assessment can be appealed.

Over the past several years, market values of waterfront properties in some areas of Nova Scotia have risen. Waterfront property has traditionally been assessed higher because buyers have been willing to pay more for property bordering on the water.

"Our government recognizes that there are some instances where a sudden increase in assessment has led to a much higher municipal property tax bill for some individuals," said Mr. MacIsaac. "As municipalities require a consistent, provincewide assessment system, we are working to resolve this issue from the tax side of the equation."

During the preliminary assessment process this summer, about 96,000 Nova Scotia property owners with a proposed increase of more than three per cent received a notice of their increase.

"This year, the proposed notices generated almost 5,000 inquiries," said Ms. Gillis. "This preliminary phase of the process saves time and money for all taxpayers because it significantly reduces the number of formal appeals." The department began issuing proposed assessments in 1996 to allow property owners several months to ask questions.

Although assessment values continue to rise, the number of appeals have continued to decrease since the introduction of the preliminary assessment phase. This indicates that property owners, for the most part, are satisfied that assessments are an accurate reflection of the market value of their property. This is a result of the strength of the market value approach and the continued dialogue between the Assessment Division and property owners.

Property owners are encouraged to call the department's toll-free information line with any concerns about their assessment. The toll-free number is 1-800-667-5727, and is in operation between 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. To learn more about the assessment process, visit the assessment page on the department's Web site, at www.gov.ns.ca/snsmr/asmt .