Avitar has selected MY house for random INTERIOR inspection to get a "proper" value.... No thank you. Anyone else get a notice like this?
Have before; but I'm not in Northfield nor is Belmont presently under re-assessment.
Quote from: Hubbard on September 24, 2008, 11:23 AM NHFT
Avitar has selected MY house for random INTERIOR inspection to get a "proper" value.... No thank you. Anyone else get a notice like this?
Just remember that you do not have to let them in. They have no legal right to enter your house unless you give them permission. In fact, they have no legal right to even enter any of your property without permission.
I have never had to deal with this but I would not allow them to come in to my home. If they had the "authority" to do so they would not be asking you. If they came to my home I would answer the door inform them that this is private property, they are not welcome, inform them if they do try and enter the property again that you will file criminal charges, and escort them off the property. I would suggest that you do this all with a smile and as nice as possible.
The use of a video camera could be a good thing if they do come back that way you would have proof that you informed them of the consequences if they did return. If you do use a camera I would think that using the line Dave Ridley uses would be better then nothing.
They won't force entry.
This could be one of two things... just the random sampling to help set assessment figures.
Or they discovered that the interior of your home has never been assessed, and is thus set at maximum.
And remember that the law also states that if you don't let them in you will not be able to contest the assessment. >:(
Could result in a lower assessment, which is a good thing.
QuoteAnd remember that the law also states that if you don't let them in you will not be able to contest the assessment.
Sounds like a good reason to withold any ransom demands they might make based on that number. :)
Quote from: freeborn on September 24, 2008, 12:16 PM NHFT
Quote from: Hubbard on September 24, 2008, 11:23 AM NHFT
Avitar has selected MY house for random INTERIOR inspection to get a "proper" value.... No thank you. Anyone else get a notice like this?
Just remember that you do not have to let them in. They have no legal right to enter your house unless you give them permission. In fact, they have no legal right to even enter any of your property without permission.
This is true, but the statute says that if you deny entry, you lose all right to appeal. You either let a stranger into your house to prowl around and declare what your house is worth, or you let the same stranger declare what your house is worth without seeing the inside; the former lets you appeal, the latter does not.
It truly sucks, either way.
I wonder what is inside a home that a bureaucrat needs to see that might change the assessment based on only looking at the outside of the home?
I call shenanigans.
Quote from: Puke on September 24, 2008, 03:28 PM NHFTI call shenanigans.
It is more than shenanigans. 1984 comes to mind.
Of course you could always take the matter to court but, unfortunately, it is difficult to show that the assessment is wrong.
When it comes to fighting government the average citizen is at a destinct disadvantage.
I plan on calling the number on the letter and telling them that I won't be allowing entry. I sleep during the day and work at night, and I just don't see why they should be in my house.
Exterior dimensions provide a range of cost, but the interior allows for a more exacting assessment.
Sort of like the difference in MSRP on a basic as compared to fully loaded vehicle.
Even the assessment isn't a true market value, but a best guess based on sales data.
Quote from: Puke on September 24, 2008, 03:28 PM NHFT
I wonder what is inside a home that a bureaucrat needs to see that might change the assessment based on only looking at the outside of the home?
I believe they want to know things like number of bathrooms, bedrooms, &c..
Either way, I wouldn't let them—or anyone else working for the government—into my home.
They know bedroom/bathroom and square footage already. I really don't want them walking around my house...
Quote from: Hubbard on September 25, 2008, 12:30 PM NHFT
They know bedroom/bathroom and square footage already. I really don't want them walking around my house...
I understand your concerns I don't even like my family walking around my place. I see it as my little piece of sanctuary and the less intrusions in to that piece of my life the better.
These "in home" inspections are the ultimate insulting example of the fact that the government owns your property.
If you don't let them in than they will just assume what you have in your home based on past reports they have. Its possible they will overvalue your home and your taxes will be raised at which point you can argue with what they put on their reports and how they are wrong in their assessment. I didn't let my town in either, they just took a walk around the exterior of the home and placed a value. I'm positive they don't have the right to make you let them in, but I'm pretty sure they are within the law in taking a stroll around the exterior to place value. Good luck!
Hope this gets settled before Rectum George declares martial law because after that they can do anything they want.
Clean and oil your guns and stock up on ammunition. You may need it. :-[
there is also the option of having someone videotape the whole process and put it on youtube. you could ask the inspector moral questions while he's inspecting.
if you do this i'd recommend being very polite and informing them in advance of your intentions.
Quote from: freeborn on September 25, 2008, 03:48 PM NHFT
Hope this gets settled before Rectum George declares martial law because after that they can do anything they want.
Clean and oil your guns and stock up on ammunition. You may need it. :-[
Martial law with what? All the troops are overseas... :D
Quote from: John Edward Mercier on September 26, 2008, 07:23 AM NHFT
Quote from: freeborn on September 25, 2008, 03:48 PM NHFT
Hope this gets settled before Rectum George declares martial law because after that they can do anything they want.
Clean and oil your guns and stock up on ammunition. You may need it. :-[
Martial law with what? All the troops are overseas... :D
Good. My ammunition will last a lot longer that way.
::) Aww come on, your property belongs to them anyways, ask them.
Hey, we could have a gun cleaning party there and practice clearing your property! Naa, they'd call Homeland Security. ::)
Quote from: John Edward Mercier on September 26, 2008, 07:23 AM NHFT
Quote from: freeborn on September 25, 2008, 03:48 PM NHFT
Hope this gets settled before Rectum George declares martial law because after that they can do anything they want.
Clean and oil your guns and stock up on ammunition. You may need it. :-[
Martial law with what? All the troops are overseas... :D
They do have some troops deployed throughout the US but I think that they are called police. Now that they pretty much all have armored vehicles the only difference between the police and the army is the uniforms they wear.
Quote from: DadaOrwell on September 25, 2008, 05:58 PM NHFT
there is also the option of having someone videotape the whole process and put it on youtube. you could ask the inspector moral questions while he's inspecting.
if you do this i'd recommend being very polite and informing them in advance of your intentions.
Hm. That is an option... Another issue is they want to inspect on a weekday 9-5ish. I work 7pm to 7am. I don't have time for their BS.
Quote from: grasshopper on September 26, 2008, 01:13 PM NHFT
::) Aww come on, your property belongs to them anyways, ask them.
Hey, we could have a gun cleaning party there and practice clearing your property! Naa, they'd call Homeland Security. ::)
I tell people this and they get confused... Then I tell them to stop paying property taxes and see what happens.