Properties drop 3.4pc in Napier

Napier residents have begun receiving their property valuations and are being encouraged to submit an objection if they feel they are inaccurate.

The valuations were undertaken by Quotable Value (QV) on behalf of the Napier City Council.

One Napier homeowner said the difference between an independent valuation she had completed in June and the recent council ordered one was $290,000.

"It's because our house is a new building and hasn't been seen by any QV people, I suppose," she said.

Her property was recently built and only signed off by the council earlier this year.

"I just want them to revalue it and I'm sure they will."

Overall Napier's property values have decreased by 3.4 per cent.

The figure is based on current market trends, where values are based on recent sales to similar properties in a process called mass appraisal.

Chattels, such as curtains, drapes and carpeting are not considered in the valuation process, but QV manager Bevan Pickett said some home upgrades, which affected the value, could sometimes go unnoticed. "There's cases where they've put a new kitchen in and didn't need building consent. Each one is unique. If owners call us and have a chat we can usually sort something out."

But general maintenance was a standard requirement, so upgrades that increased the property's value would need to be significant.

Mr Pickett said residents were still receiving their valuation notices and it was too early to tell how many objections there would be.

Property owners have until December 15 to lodge an objection.

Mayor Barbara Arnott said the slight overall decrease was to be expected, saying it was a normal fluctuation especially after the "unsustainable growth" in property values in the mid 2000s.

The 3.4 per cent general decrease does not change the total amount of rates required across the city, rather it is used to help distribute them.