TOWN OF LANCASTER
PROPERTY ASSESSMENT INFORMATION SITE
(This page last updated 7/2/2010)
Website data last updated 7/2/2010
Data base last updated 7/2/2010
This site will provide general information about the assessment process. The links at the left will take you to information about property inventory, photos, assessments, sales, and search criteria. The information contained on this site is taken from the Final 2010 Assessment Roll . The Final 2010 was filed on 7/1/2010. (Note : Recent Sales Information is through Early May of 2010.)
The Town of Lancaster's New Level of Assessment is 100%. That means that assessments represent 100% of full market value.This new Rate is effective with our Final roll for 2010 which was filed July 1st ,2010, (Note : the 2009 roll was at a 92% equilization rate.)
The Town of Lancaster's Equalization Rate will be 100% with the filing of the 2010 roll. An equalization rate is the State's measure of a municipality's Level of Assessment. This is the ratio of total assessed value (AV) to the municipality's total market value (MV). The municipality determines the AV; the MV is estimated by the State.
THE PROCESS
March 1st of each year is Taxable Status Day. Your property is valued based on it's Physical Status /Condition on that day.Since we are in a update mode, owners were sent a preliminary assessment on Feb. 24th, 2010.Beginning on April 20th 2010, property owners whose assessment has been changed as a result of an informal review, along with property owners who had a building permit on their property in 2009, received a second change of assessment notice. The Tentative Assessment Roll will be filed on or before May 1st according to the law. If you are still not satisfied, your next recourse is the formal Board of Assessment Review in late May.
The Process for challenging Assessments on the 2011 Roll will be updated on the Website in January 2011.
RESOURCES AVAILABLE
Effective 2/25/10
1. Reports: Residential sales and property inventories will be published and available for inspection at the Assessor’s office.
2. Internet Access: The Final Assessment values for 2010 are available now.The Final Assessment roll for 2010 is available on the Internet now and also in Hard copy at the Assessors office by July 15th.
3. Your assessment should reflect 100% of the current market value for your property. To review your assessment, please follow the steps listed below:
§ Verify property information
§ Review inventory data on an individual property
§ Review current sales information
§ Analyze sales information about similar properties
In comparing similar sales it is important to remember that location, style, age and size are critical to the comparison process. For example: if you purchased your home for $200,000 on a particular street or neighborhood ,do not look for homes that sell for $100,000 in other neighborhoods or compare a 5 year old house with a 50 year old house. The goal is to analyze sales of homes that are most comparable to your home in age,style,size and neighborhood.
INFORMAL REVIEW PROCESS
THIS PROCESS IS COMPLETED FOR 2010-PROCESS WILL START IN JANUARY 2011 FOR 2011 ROLL
The Assessor's Office will offer property owners an Informal Review Process February1st- March 30th. They are by appointment . The application is available on the Assessors Home page.
FORMAL REVIEW PROCESS
The Board of Assessment Review meets on the fourth Tuesday in May (Grievance Day) each year to hear complaints on assessments. This year that day is May 25th, 2010.In 2011, the date will be May 24th. Written application to the Board of Review must be made on or before Grievance Day on forms prescribed by New York State Office of Real Property Services. If you feel your assessment is incorrect, you must fill out the proper paperwork and provide the Board of Review with information that supports your opinion of market value. Appointments will be taken when the paperwork is submitted
.FORMS AND PHONE NUMBER TO CALL TO SET AN APPOINTMENT ARE AVAILABLE ON THE ASSESSOR'S PAGE ON THE TOWN WEB SITE, OR AT THE ASSESSOR'S OFFICE AT 21 CENTRAL AVE.
FORMS AND INSTRUCTIONS TO DISPUTE THE ASSESSMENT ON YOUR PROPERTY-
Use these after the ForMal Board of Assessment Review is done
EXEMPTION FORMS AND INSTRUCTIONS - FILING DEADLINE MARCH 1ST
NOTE-SCHOOL RATES FOR 2010-2011 WILL BE UPDATED IN SEPTEMBER 2010
THE GOAL OF THE ASSESSOR’S OFFICE IS TO DETERMINE THE FAIR AND EQUITABLE ASSESSMENT FOR YOUR PROPERTY.
If you have any questions, comments, or suggestions for improvement to this site, please call the Assessor's Office at
716-683-1311.
