Council task force to process valuation objections

Photo / Martin Sykes

An Auckland Council team will work through 12,075 objections to its property valuations over the next seven months.

It will be a process of offer and negotiation for the council, which uses the figures to help set rates. Households and commercial ratepayers, 516,000 in the region, were sent valuations this year after the council undertook a region-wide exercise to bring disparate three-year valuation cycles of previous councils into a single cycle.

The council's valuations team leader, Peter McKay, said both the council and Quotable Value would be working through the objections up to the rates deadline of July 1.

If an objection has been made, ratepayers will be made an offer which they have the right to accept or decline. If it is still unacceptable ratepayers can lodge the issue with the Land Valuation Tribunal.

Negotiation between both parties will take place but a tribunal hearing at a district court will be used if agreement cannot be reached. Mr McKay said most issues were resolved at the letter stage and very few went to a hearing.

The process was useful for property owners as it was a chance for them to get a more in-depth look by a valuer completed.

He said the rate of objections at 2.34 per cent was a "good result" and similar to the number received by the old Auckland City Council.

NOT HAPPY?

* If you dispute your property valuation and have objected, the Auckland Council will be in touch.
* It will send a new letter of offer.
* If there is still a problem, property owners can go to the Land Valuation Tribunal.
* Negotiations will occur.
* Or if that fails, the tribunal will hear the dispute.