City to reassess property values for mandated revaluation

DANBURY — It’s time for the city’s mandated property revaluation.

This revaluation, which must be completed every five years, establishes updated real estate assessments for the Oct. 1, 2022 grand list, according to the city’s website.

“The main purpose of property revaluation is to correct inequalities in the tax burden that have developed since the last revaluation,” the tax assessor’s office website states.

Danbury contracted with eQuality Valuation Services, LLC a certified revaluation company based in Waterbury, to assist the assessor in the effort.

The revaluation doesn’t change the amount of taxes the city needs to collect, but does affect how much individual taxpayers contribute, according to the tax assessor’s office. The first tax payments under the new values will be due in the July 2023.

“Revaluation is a long process, one that takes almost two years to complete between the start of the process and the payment of the first tax bills after the revaluation,” the tax assessor’s website states.

The city last completed a revaluation on the 2017 grand list. That time, officials visited properties in town, but that’s only required every 10 years.

“Typically during this type of revaluation only properties that were sold would be visited to verify the characteristics of the home,” the tax assessor’s office says. “Due to the COVID-19 pandemic we will be using alternative methods which may include sales questionnaires and/or review of publicly available data online. If it is necessary for data collectors to exit their vehicle, employees will be wearing masks and practice social distancing.”

Residential property owners will receive data mailers from eQuality in December. These mailers will list details such as style of house, room count and special features.

“The accuracy of the data is vital to the integrity and uniformity of the assessments,” the city website states.

Property owners have a few options for filling out the form. The preferred method is to submit the mailer online using the identification code provided on the letter.

They may also complete the form, make any necessary changes, sign and date where indicated, and return the form to eQuality directly or to the assessor’s office.

Owners may request a call back on the form. These calls will be made to the owner’s number provided and can be handled virtually.

The city looks to update photos associated with properties, too. Owners may provide their own updated photo by emailing equalitydanbury@gmail.com. Be sure to provide your name and address. Photos should be of the front of your home with no person(s) or advertisements displayed.

In the second phase of the revaluation, appraisal personnel will analyze property sales over a 2 1/2 year period to determine which market factors influence property values. They will determine land values and set “neighborhoods,” which “rate the valuation levels of locations throughout the town as determined by actual market activity,” according to the website.

Officials determine the value of each property by comparing the parcel, building or land to comparable properties. A field review will be conducted to confirm the values.

Owners will then be mailed their new assessments and have the opportunity to meet with eQuality’s staff if necessary.

Any property that has an informal hearing or any property where the value has been changed since the first notice will receive another assessment notice in early February 2023. Owners may appeal through the Board of Assessment Appeals in March.

Contact the Assessor’s Office at 203-7974556 with questions or concerns.