TOWN OF LANCASTER
PROPERTY ASSESSMENT INFORMATION SITE
(This page last updated 1/3/2012)
Website data last updated 1/3/2012
Data base last updated 1/3/2012
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 2011 Assessment Roll . The Final 2011 was filed on 7/1/2011. (Note : Recent Sales Information is through November 2011.)
The Town of Lancaster's Level of Assessment is 100%. That means that assessments represent 100% of full market value.This Rate is effective with our Final Roll for 2011 which was filed July 1st ,2011, and is what our Final roll for 2011 is based on.
The Town of Lancaster's Equalization Rate will be 100% with the filing of the 2011 roll , and is what our Final roll for 2011 is based on.. 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
NOTE 2011 ROLL YEAR IS COMPLETED-PROCESS BELOW RELATES TO CHALLENGES TO 2012 ROLL
March 1st of each year is Taxable Status Day. Your property is valued based on it's Physical Status /Condition on that day.
Beginning on April 20th 2012, property owners whose assessment has been changed as a result of our town wide field review,an informal review, or property owners who had a building permit on their property in 2011 will receive a change of assessment notice. The Tentative Assessment Roll for 2012 will be filed on or before May 1st according to the law.
The Process for challenging Assessments for the 2012 Roll will be updated in February 2012 on theTown of Lancaster Website for the Informal Review Process and the Formal Board of Assessment Review Process. It is also reviewed below. You can review and print the instructions and documents needed from the town website when updated in February 2012.
RESOURCES AVAILABLE
Effective 2/1/2012
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 2011 are available now. The Sales on the Internet represent sales thru November 2011.Updates will be posted by March 1st,2012.
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.
1,INFORMAL REVIEW PROCESS
The Process for 2012 will begn March 1st, 2012 and will end approxiametely April 15th , 2012. Details,forms etc will be posted in February,2012 on the Town of Lancaster Website.
2.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 will be May 22nd, 2012.They normally meet from 2-4PM and 6-8PM. Additional days may be offered as needed. 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.Instructions and the forms will be avaialbale on the Town Of Lancaster website on the Assessors Page .
The process and paperwork for 2012 will be finalized by May 1st, 2012
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.
.TO SET AN APPOINTMENT, PLEASE CALL TINA POWELL AT 683-1311 BY MAY 22nd, 2012 AT 8 PM.She will review what forms are needed and how to access (either on the town website as listed above or at the Assessors Office at 21 Central ave. in Lancaster.) If an appointment is not requested, and you would like a non-hearing, the documentation must be to the Assessors office by 8PM on May 22nd, 2012.
FORMS AND INSTRUCTIONS TO DISPUTE THE ASSESSMENT ON YOUR PROPERTY-
Available on the Towns Website or at the Assessors Office
EXEMPTION FORMS AND INSTRUCTIONS - FILING DEADLINE MARCH 1ST,2012
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.
