Property Assessments Are In the Mail

What is the Property Valuation Services Corporation?
The Property Valuation Services Corporation is a municipally funded, independent, not for profit that provides assessment services for 50 municipalities in Nova Scotia.   It is governed by a board of directors and has 135 employees across the province that oversee 630,000 assessment accounts.  It provides annual assessment rolls to municipalities and annual assessment notices to property owners.

What if you don’t agree with the assessment of your property?
There is a 31-day inquiry and appeal period that takes place from midnight on January 13 to February 13, 2020.  Property owners can appeal their assessment by filling out the appeal form on the bottom of their notice and returning it to the PVSC by mail, fax, email a signed and scanned copy or in-person at one of its office locations.  The nearest location to Pictou County would be Suite 1A, 664 Prince Street, Truro, Nova Scotia. 

“Overall, across Nova Scotia, new construction is driving the increase in the assessment roll,” says Lloyd MacLeod, Senior Valuation Manager. “Based on property sales activity, the market overall is showing a modest increase in some neighbourhoods across the Province, with many others having little change over last year.”

How are property assessments determined?
2020 property assessments are based on market valuation as of January 1, 2019 (the “base date”) and a property’s physical condition as of December 1, 2019 (the “state date”). 

The Capped Assessment Program (CAP) rate is based on the Nova Scotia Consumer Price Index as published each year in November. For the 2020 assessments, the CAP rate is 1.0%.

Who do you call if you have further questions?
Property owners can contact Property Valuation Services if they have further questions.  Municipalities have involvement with property assessments so please call Property Valuation Services assessors are available at 1-800-380-7775 if you require further information.