Property Tax Surveyors

[steveh_131]

My wife informed me that yesterday, some property tax surveyors knocked on the door. (Or so they claimed. They had ID and lanyards on, she said.)

The asked her a bunch of questions about our home, peered in the door, then wandered around the yard taking pictures. She answered their questions. Asking how many baths we had, full bath/shower, asked about a gas fireplace they saw when they peeped in the door, etc etc.

We've only been homeowners for about 2 years so this is new ground for me. Is this typical? They claimed it was done every 4 years.

I was intensely annoyed that she answered their questions and opened the door wide enough for them to look around my home. I am also intensely annoyed that they're wandering around in my yard taking pictures. If I was home, I think I would have told them to get lost.

I don't know if a gas fireplace is going to raise my taxes, or a plastic shed that I put up in back, or the fact that one bathroom has a shower or whatever they were asking about. This is intrusive and ridiculous.

If this is standard, how do you guys handle these folks? "Get off my lawn"?

 

[Dirtebiker]

I own the houses on either side of me. A woman comes by one of those continuously. When the house was vacant, I told her no one lived there. She acted like she didn't believe me, asked about the previous tenants by name.
I think I pissed her off when I wouldn't answer her questions because she wouldn't answer mine.
Screw them! MAYBE I'd give them some answers if they'd at least be honest with me.

 

[rosejm]

It is common, and been happening more frequently for Porter Co. Though, they don't HAVE to peek in the windows and browse around the house.

Typically, they'll try to ask their questions, but they do have a door hanger that you can fill out describing the SqFt/Beds/Baths/Garage/Shed/etc...

Ask for that and then ask them nicely to leave the property.

 

[steveh_131]

It is common, and been happening more frequently for Porter Co. Though, they don't HAVE to peek in the windows and browse around the house.

Typically, they'll try to ask their questions, but they do have a door hanger that you can fill out describing the SqFt/Beds/Baths/Garage/Shed/etc...

Ask for that and then ask them nicely to leave the property.

Thanks for the info. I'll be sure to do exactly that next time.

Are these forms compulsory? What if I refused to answer any questions, period?

 

[Denny347]

What if I refused to answer any questions, period?

Then they COULD assess your property value using some voodoo formula that could have you paying more than you should...

 

[steveh_131]

That's a good point, Denny. Appreciate the advice, guys. I'll make sure the wife just takes the questionnaire and politely tells them to GTFO next time.

Gotta raise my taxes for that new sports complex or something, I guess. Property taxes are tyranny.

 

[BugI02]

That's a good point, Denny. Appreciate the advice, guys. I'll make sure the wife just takes the questionnaire and politely tells them to GTFO next time.

Gotta raise my taxes for that new sports complex or something, I guess. Property taxes are tyranny.

Perhaps a good time to OC while dealing with them. Might encourage them to conclude their business more quickly

 

[steveh_131]

Perhaps a good time to OC while dealing with them. Might encourage them to conclude their business more quickly

This. I like this.

 

[sharkey]

Wait, I think an important question hasn't been asked here.




Were the lanyards made of Rexlace?

 

[BugI02]

And have you seen your wallet since their visit?

 

[steveh_131]

MY WALLET IS GONE. THEY TOOK IT. I DON'T KNOW WHAT REXLACE IS BUT I THINK THEY TOOK THAT TOO.

 

[Mr Evilwrench]

See, they were obviously undercover state cops

I've never had one come around, and I'm almost always home, so I'd most likely know. If I did notice one peeking in my windows, there would definitely be an OC encounter, likely with an AR. I'm not much of a question answerer, as the census taker learned to his discomfiture.

 

[sugarcreekbrass]

I live in the country and hadn't had anyone come to the door. I have seen them drive by slowly taking pics and notes. They are just looking to see if anything changes have been made outside like adding any buildings they can tax you for.

 

[steveh_131]

Well these folks were much more aggressive than that. I don't know if they're earning commission on tax increases or what, but it was not cool.

 

[Ericpwp]

They're using the satellite images much more often these days.

 

[GodFearinGunTotin]

They're using the satellite images much more often these days.

Yeah...this is what I was told our county relies on. We live about 400-500ft off the road, so if somebody did drive by and take pictures, I'd never know it. I can't say if I've ever had anybody come onto the property. If they did, they did it when nobody was at home.

 

[steveh_131]

Interesting. Maybe they noticed the plastic shed in the satellite images and decided to come poke around.

 

[Ericpwp]

That could be. I know porter as well as lake has a gis website that you can poke around on.

 

[mom45]

If you have a gate (especially one that is locked) across your drive and a no trespassing sign, they cannot enter your property. If it is visible from the road, they can estimate info from what they see. The can use satellite views to estimate building sizes, etc. The last time ours was reassessed, they apparently looked in windows because they have my basement as being a certain percent finished. When I called and asked how they figured this, I wasn't given clear answers. It is a walk out basement so there are windows on one end. I pointed out that there was no carpet or tile on the floors, and they are just painted concrete and not what I consider finished. I also disputed the percentage they said was drywalled, etc. They said in order to dispute it, I would have to let them into my home to prove what was there or not there. I was not letting them in and what they have is probably less than I would end up with otherwise so I let it go.

 

[benzkomp]

I always argue the increase of my tax value going up. I proof that no modifications have been made and they adjust it a bit. Just a scam if you ask me