Teaneck revaluation process begins with property inspections
TEANECK — Property inspections have begun for the township's revaluation process, officials said.
Starting this week, inspectors from Appraisal Systems Inc. will begin to visit all properties, measuring and photographing the exteriors of all buildings and inspecting the interiors, said Township Manager Dean Kazinci.
"The township was ordered to do a property revaluation by the Bergen County Tax Board in 2022, but the county determined that Teaneck's property assessments were not in line with true property value, meaning that a large portion of the community was unfairly paying a higher portion of property taxes than their neighbors," said Mayor Michael Pagan.
The revaluation will "ensure that everyone pays their fair share and to allow the township to know the value of the tax base so services can be provided for accordingly," Pagan said.
"It will be necessary for a representative of Appraisal Systems Inc. to examine the interior of every property," Kazinci said. The first visit from an inspector will be unannounced and will be between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Kazinci said. If the homeowner is not present, the inspector will “The township was ordered to do a property revaluation by the Bergen County Tax Board in 2022, but the county determined that Teaneck's property assessments were not in line with true property value, meaning that a large portion of the community was unfairly paying a higher portion of property taxes than their neighbors.” leave a card with a return date and a telephone number to call to reschedule.
If at the time of the second visit an interior inspection is again not possible, Kazinci said, an estimate of the interior structure of the premises will be made and left for the homeowner. If the estimate is incorrect, the property owner may call the phone number on the card to arrange for an interior inspection of the property at a mutually convenient date and time.
A contactless interior inspection using a videoconference, either during the first visit or at a mutually convenient time, can also be requested.
Appraisal Systems Inc. representatives will carry photo identification, and their names will be registered with the Police Department and the township clerk's office, Kazinci said. Residents are advised not to admit inspectors before reviewing the identification.
Representatives will wear face masks upon request during interior inspections. Owners are asked to advise occupants of rental units so they are prepared for the inspection.
Residents are asked to sign a field form used by the representative to acknowledge that an interior inspection was made.
The new property values for 2024 will all be determined based on their estimated market value as of Oct. 1. All property owners will be notified by mail of their proposed assessed values and will have an opportunity to question and contest the values.
The township held two meetings on the revaluation process, and a link to the video of the May 25 meeting is posted on the municipal website, teanecknj.gov. Appraisal Systems has also posted a slide presentation of the revaluation on its website asinj.com.
Owners may mail documentation of unique conditions that may influence a property's value to
Appraisal Systems Inc., 17-17 Route
208N, Suite 210, Fair Lawn, NJ 07410. For more information, visit the Appraisal Systems website at asinj.com or call 201493-8530.