Every year, thousands of BC homeowners receive property assessments, but navigating the BC property assessment appeal process can help secure a fair market value. Understanding BC property appeal success rates is crucial to deciding if an appeal is worth pursuing.
Why 98% Don’t Appeal
According to BC Assessment, over 98% of property owners typically accept their property assessment and do not seek a formal, independent review.1 While appealing can lead to significant tax savings, many homeowners lack critical information to make an informed decision. Neither BC Assessment nor the PARP provides data on appeal success rates. This leaves homeowners unsure about their chances.
Lack of Transparency in BC Assessment Appeals
Both BC Assessment and the Property Assessment Review Panel (PARP) fail to provide public data on appeal success rates, leaving homeowners in the dark about their chances of success. To address this lack of transparency, I filed a Freedom of Information (FOI) request in August 2024, seeking data on Single Family Dwelling appeals. Specifically, I requested the total number of properties assessed, how many appealed, and the success rates at the 2023 and 2024 PARP review panels. I also asked for details on whether values were upheld or reduced.
For six months, BC Assessment did not provide the requested data. BC Assessment’s Legal Counsel and Privacy Officer directly managed the request, creating, in my view, tactics that led to delays and confusion. Ultimately, no results were provided, leading me to file a complaint with the Office of the Information and Privacy Commissioner (OIPC), alleging that BC Assessment’s approach resulted in obfuscation. This experience highlights how challenging it can be for homeowners to obtain clarity and accountability. This lack of transparency makes it difficult for homeowners to gauge the BC Assessment Appeal Success Rate accurately.
The Role of the PARP in BC Property Assessment Appeals
Before proceeding to the Property Assessment Appeal Board (PAAB), homeowners must first go through the Property Assessment Review Panel (PARP). In my opinion, the PARP often serves as a smoke screen designed to discourage homeowners from moving forward. One of the key lessons I’ve learned is that homeowners put too much effort into preparing for the PARP, only to find they’re given just six minutes to present their appeal over the telephone, with no visual aids. In today’s video-driven society, this is an outdated and ineffective approach. Personally, I have never achieved a win for my clients at the PARP review panel.
2023: Success Stories in BC Assessment Appeals at the PAAB
Unlike the PARP, the PAAB publishes its results. In December 2024, I filed an FOI request with the PAAB for the Single Family Dwelling (Use Code 000) results from 2023. Additionally, the PAAB delivered the requested data in under 30 days, fully complying with FIPPA.
The data revealed that of the 417 appeals that proceeded to the PAAB from the PARP:
- 10.79% (45 appeals) were dismissed.
- 15.83% (66 appeals) were withdrawn by the appellant.
- 32.85% (137 appeals) resulted in mutual recommendations, where a resolution was reached and approved by the Board.
- 26.14% (109 appeals) proceeded to full written submissions for a decision by an Adjudicator.
As an expert witness, I represented 25 of these written submissions, accounting for 23% of all appeals that went to written decisions in the province of British Columbia in 2023. Of the 25 appeals I wrote at the Board level (PAAB), I won 22, achieving a success rate of 88%. These wins resulted in a total reduction of $11 million in assessed values for 2023 and approximately $75k in property tax refunds for the homeowners. This highlights the significant impact that proper preparation and evidence can have on achieving a favourable outcome.
2024: Lessons From My Community
In 2024, Ten homeowners from my community participated in the BC property assessment appeal process at the PARP. I represented only one of them. As expected, all 10 homeowners lost at the PARP. I had advised the homeowner I represented not to get discouraged, as the real appeal begins at the PAAB.
As a result, nine out of ten homeowners decided to drop their appeals after losing at the PARP. This is a common outcome, as the PARP process often leaves homeowners feeling frustrated and discouraged, effectively serving as a smokescreen that deters further action. However, the one homeowner I represented moved forward to the PAAB. There, BC Assessment agreed to a mutual resolution, reducing their assessed value by $400,000.
This appeal underscores why I believe the PARP is a highly effective deterrent. Many homeowners give up prematurely, not realizing that the PARP is simply a conduit to the real appeal process at the PAAB, where results are far more achievable. These appeals highlights how perseverance and informed decisions can significantly improve your BC Assessment Appeal Success Rate.
Contrast Between PARP and PAAB
The contrast between the PAAB’s transparency and the PARP’s lack of meaningful engagement underscores the challenges homeowners face. While the PARP process appears outdated and discouraging, the PAAB offers appellants a fair opportunity to make their case and achieve meaningful results. The 2023 and 2024 appeals clearly demonstrate the importance of perseverance and seeking expert guidance when appealing property assessments.
What To Do Next
If you’re considering appealing your BC property assessment, the first step is to complete the official Notice of Complaint (Appeal) Form. Make sure to submit this form by the deadline: 11:59 p.m. PST on January 31, 2025.
Need expert guidance on how to successfully appeal your property assessment? Visit my Appeal BC Assessment page for detailed steps, tools, and resources.
References
- Vancouver Island 2025 Property Assessments Announced – https://info.bcassessment.ca/news/Pages/Vancouver-Island-2025-Property-Assessments-Announced.aspx ↩︎
