A realtor from the Cowichan Valley has lodged a complaint regarding BC Assessment with the Office of the Information and Privacy Commissioner for British Columbia

Jason Anson, a realtor with eXp Realty, filed a Freedom of Information request with BCA in August to determine how many property owners in B.C. appealed their property assessments in 2023 and 2024, and how successful they were.

He said his FOI request was met by BCA with procedural delays, shifting definitions, and a fee estimate of $736.49 for the requested information, and he claims that BCA is demonstrating systemic non-compliance with the provisions of the province香蕉视频直播檚 Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act.

香蕉视频直播淚nstead of straightforward answers, I faced delays, roadblocks, and an unreasonable fee [from BCA],香蕉视频直播� he said. 香蕉视频直播淚香蕉视频直播檓 calling for greater transparency in BCA香蕉视频直播檚 appeals process. Despite BCA香蕉视频直播檚 claim that 98 per cent of homeowners accept their property valuations without appealing, I香蕉视频直播檓 arguing the public is being left in the dark about the actual outcomes of those who do challenge their assessments. [BCA] touts the 98 per cent figure, but what about the two per cent who appeal? How many win? What does that say about the system香蕉视频直播檚 fairness?香蕉视频直播�

Anson has successfully helped dozens of homeowners in the Youbou area appeal property assessments that they considered too high over the last couple of years.

He has said the continuous over-assessments by BCA year after year are not limited to Vancouver Island, but is a province-wide issue in all rural areas, especially for waterfront owners.

Anson said his work with the Youbou Appeals Group in 2023 revealed just how inaccessible the system is.

He said that of the 109 property owners in the province who saw their appeals reach a full written submission and decision by the provincial assessment appeal board, he was the expert witness in 25 of those cases, representing 23 per cent of all provincial appeals last year that went to a full board decision.

香蕉视频直播淭hat香蕉视频直播檚 109 decisions out of hundreds of thousands of assessments,香蕉视频直播� said Anson. 香蕉视频直播淢ost people can香蕉视频直播檛 get that far. It香蕉视频直播檚 clear the system isn香蕉视频直播檛 designed to be accessible.香蕉视频直播�

Anson香蕉视频直播檚 efforts over the past two years have resulted in more than $15 million in reductions for property owners, but he believes broader accountability is needed.

香蕉视频直播淧roperty taxes are one of the biggest annual expenses for homeowners, yet BCA doesn香蕉视频直播檛 provide basic appeal data that would help property owners make informed decisions," he said.

"This isn香蕉视频直播檛 just about me, it香蕉视频直播檚 about public accountability.香蕉视频直播�

Anson said this highlights a critical gap in the province香蕉视频直播檚 property assessment system.

He said as homeowners prepare to open their new property assessments from BCA in early January, many may wonder that if they disagree with their assessments, is the appeals process worth the effort?

香蕉视频直播淧eople deserve to know how often appeals succeed,香蕉视频直播� he said. 香蕉视频直播淲ithout transparency, we香蕉视频直播檙e left to take BCA香蕉视频直播檚 word for it, and that香蕉视频直播檚 not good enough.香蕉视频直播�

BC Assessment said in a statement that it does not comment on requests that are before the Office of the Information and Privacy Commissioner.