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AboutMyProperty™ User FAQ's - 2009 Year End
Logging in
Do I have to use the User ID and Password on my Amended Notice if I already have an account set up?
AboutMyProperty™ Reports
I previously requested property details on some comparable properties. When I go back into my account it indicates that I still have 100 look-ups available? Why?
AboutMyProperty™ Reports
I previously submitted an electronic Request for Reconsideration via AboutMyProperty™. Can I submit another Request for Reconsideration for a different tax year or one based on my Amended Notice value?
Searching for Properties in AboutMyProperty™
There are currently Properties of Interest selected in my account. I would like to select different properties. How do I do this?
AboutMyProperty™ User FAQ's
What is AboutMyProperty™?
What kind of information can I get on AboutMyProperty™?
What if I don't have Internet access or an e-mail address?
Can I access AboutMyProperty using a Mac operating system?
How can I get additional information from MPAC about comparable properties?
Who can use this service?
How do I login?
When trying to login you receive the following error: "Your user ID - password combination is invalid. Please enter a valid user ID and password."
What if I forget my password?
Do I need a new user ID and password every year?
When trying to login, my Web Browser is attempting to “Autocomplete” my login attempt (i.e., pre-populating the password field with the “Old” temporary password).
I always seem to get stuck in different web pages within AboutMyProperty™.
Why am I getting a "Session Expired" error message?
What if I sell my property or purchase another? Will I need to set up a new account?
What if I own more than one property?
What if I want more Detailed Property Reports?
Why do none of the reports contain property owners' names?
I get the following message when using the address search: “Address not found. Please try again”. Why?
I am not sure of the exact roll number or street address of the property I am looking for. How can I get this information?
I can’t find the data I want. Where can I get more information?
My Property Profile Report contains inaccurate information. What should I do?
The report I am getting does not have information in all of the fields. Why?
I know that the property has changed, but the report I am looking at does not reflect this. Why?
I have successfully selected the properties I am interested in but I do not see anything when I attempt to view the report. Why?
Why can I not see a map?
Why are properties missing from the map?
What data is available on the map image?
Why are white spaces between the parcels and water areas? Why does the water area overlap with some parcels?
Why is the water name on the map different from the local name for that body of water?
Why are there "white holes" in the water area?
Why is the road name on the map different from the location name in the report?
Why do some road names not fall within the roadways? Why are some road names overlapping parcel boundaries with no signs of a road casement nearby?
Not all the road names appear on the map. Why?
Why do some road names not have a white outline around the text, where most do?
What are the numbers within the parcel boundaries?
Why do some parcels not contain address numbers?
Why can’t I search for other condo units with the map?
I’ve looked at 100 “Property Detail Snapshots” and/or created my “Properties of Interest” report for 24 properties. How do I look at more?
What are the counters for?
My properties in the property of interest list are greyed out and I cannot delete them, why?
What is the grey outline on the map?
Why can I not view non-residential properties in the snapshot window?
How do I get my Properties of Interest List into my RfR?
How do I use the Map?
Why doesn't AboutMyProperty™ look or function properly on my computer?
Will AboutMyProperty™ work on my computer?
What is a Property Assessment Details Report?
Why doesn't my PAD screen add up?
AboutMyProperty™ User FAQ's - 2009 Year End
Logging in
Do I have to use the User ID and Password on my Amended Notice if I already have an account set up?
Yes. Everyone who receives an Amended Notice will be required to log in with their new User ID and Password located in the bottom right corner of the Notice. Once you log in, you will be able to change your password. Any Properties of Interest that you had previously selected will be available to you once you log in.
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AboutMyProperty™Reports
I previously requested property details on some comparable properties. When I go back into my account it indicates that I still have 100 look-ups available? Why?
Each property taxpayer customer is entitled to 100 property look-ups per year therefore all of the Property Detail Snapshot counters were reset for all accounts as our official Roll Return for 2009 was effective December 8.
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AboutMyProperty Reports
I previously submitted an electronic Request for Reconsideration via AboutMyProperty™. Can I submit another Request for Reconsideration for a different tax year or one based on my Amended Notice value?
Yes. You can submit another Request for Reconsideration.
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Searching for Properties in AboutMyProperty™
There are currently Properties of Interest selected in my account. I would like to select different properties. How do I do this?
Please contact us at 1 866 296-6722 (MPAC) and one of our representatives will be happy to reset this for you.
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What is AboutMyProperty™?
AboutMyProperty™ is a secure, online service that provides property owners with convenient access to property assessment information. Property owners can access property assessment information, site information and recent sales information on their own property and similar properties - free of charge.
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What kind of information can I get on AboutMyProperty™?
Property owners are entitled to the following reports free of charge for each property they own:
- One (1) Property Profile Report on your property available on your "About My Property" page. The Property Profile Report provides you with detailed property assessment information for your property. For residential properties, this includes: assessment roll information, site information, recent sales information and structural information.
- A Properties of Interest Report comparing your property with up to twenty four (24) others. The Property of Interest Report will help you compare assessment information for similar properties to determine whether your property's assessed value is accurate. The property report includes address, roll number, current value assessment, sale and site information, as well as residential structural details (e.g. square footage).
In addition to the reports available through AboutMyProperty™,property owners can contact MPAC for additional information.
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What if I don't have Internet access or an e-mail address?
AboutMyProperty™ is only available over the Internet and users need an e-mail address to receive the property reports. AboutMyProperty™ delivers all reports and information electronically via the Internet to the property owner's e-mail address.
If you do not have Internet access or an e-mail address, you can still receive information by requesting a Comparable Property Report. This service also provides up to twelve (12) detailed property reports (six (6) selected by you and six (6) selected by MPAC). Please submit your request by mail or fax to:
Municipal Property Assessment Corporation
PO Box 9808
Toronto ON M1S 5T9
1 866 296-MPAC (6722)
or Fax: 1 866 297-6703
Note: Assessment rolls are available for public viewing at your local municipal office.
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Can I access AboutMyProperty using a Mac operating system?
AboutMyProperty™ is best viewed on Windows XP or Windows Vista using Internet Explorer 6 or Internet Explorer 7. MPAC cannot guarantee that AboutMyProperty™ will look or function correctly while using other browsers such as Firefox. While Mac users as well as those on other operating systems may have trouble viewing the map, you can still access all of the products and services available through AboutMyProperty™ and use the property search function for look-ups. For personalized service or if you have any questions, please call us at 1 866 296-MPAC (6722). One of our Customer Service Representatives will be happy to assist you.
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How can I get additional information from MPAC about comparable properties?
To help property owners determine whether their property has been assessed accurately, MPAC offers Comparable Property Reports in addition to the reports available through AboutMyProperty™.
A Comparable Property Report consists of six (6) properties of your choice, and six (6) selected by MPAC.
When comparing property reports, you'll see the key factors used in determining assessed values, including site dimensions, location, building size, age and style. Other variables that may be compared include: construction quality, depreciation, number of bathrooms, fireplaces, garages, pools, whether the property has water frontage, etc.
To request a Comparable Property Report, property owners can use the enquiry form located in the AboutMyProperty™ site, or send an enquiry by mail or fax to:
Municipal Property Assessment Corporation
PO Box 9808
Toronto ON M1S 5T9
1 866 296-MPAC (6722)
or Fax: 1 866 297-6703
or contact us by e-mail at Contact Us
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Who can use this service?
AboutMyProperty™ is intended for individuals who own property in the province of Ontario. To use this service you will need access to the Internet and an e-mail address. To ensure confidentiality, MPAC also requires that users login prior to using the service.
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How do I login?
1. From the MPAC homepage, click on “Property Owners” and choose the AboutMyProperty™
link on the left side of the menu.
2. From the AboutMyProperty™ homepage, click on the login link.
3. In the Login section:
a) Type in your user ID
b) Type in your password
4. Once your user ID and password are typed into the appropriate fields click “Enter.”
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When trying to login you receive the following error: "Your
user ID - password combination is invalid. Please enter a valid user ID and
password."
There are three possible solutions to this problem.
- Make sure that you are typing your user ID correctly by ensuring that...
- you are typing the number as a whole entry with no spaces
- you are not missing any of the zeros
- if you are using the numeric key pad on your keyboard, that the "Num Lock" button is enabled
- Make sure that you are typing your password correctly by ensuring that...
- the "Caps Lock" button is not enabled when typing the password as password are case-sensitive
- if you are using the numeric key pad on your keyboard, that
the "Num Lock" button is enabled.
- Clear your web browser's cache (see your web browser's instructions for more details on how to do this)
If the issue still persists after checking all the above, call our Customer Contact Centre toll free at
1 866 296-MPAC (6722) and a customer service associate will assist you.
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What if I forget my password?
1. You need to change your password.
a) From the Login Page select Forgot Password.
b) Enter your user ID
c) Enter your e-mail address
2. Answer the hint question
d) Select Continue.
e) If successful you will be taken to the update password screen where you can change our password
If you have any difficulties or would like assistance, please call our toll free enquiry at 1
866 296-MPAC (6722) and a customer service associate will reset your password for you.
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Do I need a new user ID and password every year?
You only need to register with AboutMyProperty™ once. The service will reset your number of Assessment Roll Look-Ups and Property Reports each
year.
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When trying to login, my Web Browser is attempting
to “Autocomplete” my login attempt (i.e., pre-populating the password field with the “Old” temporary
password).
For Internet Explorer:
1. Launch Internet Explorer
2. Select Tools > Internet Options > Content
3. Under Personal Information, click on AutoComplete
To clear all existing saved user IDs and passwords, click on Clear Passwords, then click OK in the warning dialog box.
Note: You may have websites for which you wish to save the
user ID and password, but you do not want Internet Explorer to prompt you
on any future sites. In this case, in the AutoComplete Settings box, leave "User names and passwords on forms" checked, but uncheck "Prompt me to save passwords".
Note: The Passwords Saved list does not show the passwords themselves, just the website name
and the username.
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I always seem to get stuck in different web pages
within AboutMyProperty™.
Your connection to the site may expire after an extended period of inactivity, especially if using a dial-up connection
to the Internet. Try re-logging in to our the site.
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Why am I getting a "Session Expired" error message?
1. Try clicking on the “Refresh” button to have the page reloaded.
2. This could also be a cookies issue (see instructions based on browser).
You may also receive this message, even if your cookie settings are correct, if you were logged in during an earlier session but your session expired during the application (see next message) or your connection was dropped. In this case:
3. Clear your cache (see instructions based on browser).
4. Close the browser.
5. Try to access our site and AboutMyProperty™ again.
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What if I sell my property or purchase another? Will I need to set up a new account?
Please advise MPAC of any changes in ownership information by calling our toll free enquiry line at 1
866 296-MPAC (6722). A customer service associate will note the changes and update your account information once we have received confirmation of new ownership from land transfer affidavits that are registered at local Land Registry Offices.
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What if I own more than one property?
You will receive a Property Assessment Notice for each property you own. Each property has its own User ID and password. These can be found on the bottom right-hand corner of your Property Assessment Notice.
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What if I want more Detailed Property Reports?
Additional detailed property reports can be purchased through AboutMyProperty™. Additional information on comparable properties can also be requested Top ^
Why do none of the reports contain property owners' names?
MPAC complies with the requirements of the Assessment Act, the Municipal Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act and all other relevant legislation, regulations and judicial rulings. Except as required by law, MPAC does not release personal information, or any other data that would divulge the identity of an individual.
To read MPAC's Privacy Statement click here
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I get the following message when using the address
search: “Address not found. Please try again”. Why?
There are two possible solutions:
1. Type the first portion of the street name and include the house number (and condo unit number if searching for a condo) and click “Search”. If there are multiple results with the same name, then you must select the correct address to to view the property's details.
2. If you are searching for an RR address (i.e., Rural Route), please be aware that RR addresses may be difficult to find. Please request a comparable report in writing for the address you want information for or go to the local municipality.
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I am not sure of the exact roll number or street address of the property I am looking for. How can I get this information?
Please e-mail us using the enquiry button found within the AboutMyProperty™ site or call our toll free enquiry line at 1
866 296-MPAC (6722) for assistance.
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I can’t find the data I want. Where can I
get more information?
MPAC is continually striving to improve our products and services. If you are unable to find the information you require, please e-mail us using the enquiry button found within the AboutMyProperty™
site or call our toll free enquiry line at 1 866 296-MPAC
(6722).
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My Property Profile Report contains inaccurate information. What should I do?
Please advise us of inaccurate information by using the enquiry form within the AboutMyProperty™ site or by calling our toll free enquiry line at 1
866 296-MPAC (6722). A customer service associate will be glad to assist you.
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The report I am getting does not have information in all of the fields. Why?
It is possible that, at the time of generating the report, the property may be new and has not been assessed yet. As a result, the report may be missing some or all information.
Please review the table of missing data carefully as it is more than likely that the missing information is not crucial (e.g., tenant tax liability). If you feel you are missing crucial information, please feel free to call our toll free enquiry line at 1
866 296-MPAC (6722) and a customer service representative will
be glad to assist you.
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I know that the property has changed, but the report I am looking at does not reflect this. Why?
The valuation date of the Current Value Assessment is January 1, 2009. It reflects the value to be reported to the municipality on the 2009 Assessment Roll for the 2010 taxation year.
This value is subject to change until the return of the Assessment Roll to the municipality. Once the Assessment Roll is returned to the municipality all property values are as stated on the Roll.
For more information regarding Assessment Updates please
click here.
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I have successfully selected the properties I am interested in but I do not see anything when I attempt to view the report. Why?
The use of pop-up blockers are becoming very popular and even the latest version of Internet Explorer has a built in pop-up blocker.
If your pop-up blocker is active, the report is likely being blocked and therefore not displayed to you.
When generating a report in AboutMyProperty™, you must either fully disable your pop-up blocker (please refer to your web browser’s documentation) or when viewing the report, you can hold down the control key (ctrl) or
ALT key while clicking on the link.
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Why can I not see a map?
Some areas of the province have not yet been included in the GIS mapping system. Please use the address search to look for properties or contact us at the Customer
Contact Centre – 1 866 296-MPAC (6722)
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Why are properties missing from the map?
Some properties, especially in new developments, have not been included in the GIS mapping system. We continually receive and incorporate any updates as they become available. Please use the address search to look for these properties or contact our Customer
Contact Centre – 1 866 296-MPAC (6722).
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What data is available on the map image?
The map image contains the following data:
- Assessment parcels, Ontario Parcel (OP)
- My parcel outline, Ontario Parcel (OP)
- Parcel address numbers, Municipal Property Assessment Corporation (MPAC) business data.
- Road names, DMTI Spatial (DMTI)
- Water features, Ministry of Natural Recourses (MNR)
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Why are white spaces between the parcels and water areas? Why does the water area overlap with some parcels?
The water areas are supplied a by a third party vendor, the Ministry of Natural Resources (MNR). MNR has assembled the water data from various sources that may not align, or be concurrent with the Ontario Parcel parcel fabric in some areas.
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Why is the water name on the map different from the local name for that body of water?
The Ministry of Natural Resources (MNR) is responsible for the currency and accuracy this data, and may vary from the local name.
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Why are there "white holes" in the water area?
The white hole(s) in the water areas indicate that there is no assessment parcel for the area in question. This may be due to; the water area and Ontario Parcel parcels are not aligned, MPAC has not assessed the particular land/island, the land/island is First Nations lands, or an omitted parcel due to an Ontario Parcel build/maintenance error.
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Why is the road name on the map different from the location name in the report?
The map road names are supplied a by a third party vendor, DMTI. And the report names are generated from MPAC assessment data. DMTI gathers and assembles road data from various sources that may not be the same sources used for MPAC assessment data.
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Why do some road names not fall within the roadways? Why are some road names overlapping parcel boundaries with no signs of a road casement nearby?
The map road names are supplied a by a third party vendor, DMTI. DMTI in turn gathers and assembles road data from various sources that may not align with, or be as current as the Ontario Parcel parcel fabric.
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Not all the road names appear on the map.
Why?
The road names are scale dependent. That is, depending on the map scale being viewed, some road names may not appear in the map image.
Or, since the map road names are supplied a by a third party vendor, DMTI, which gathers and assembles road data from various sources, not all roads may be available.
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Why do some road names not have a white outline around the text, where most do?
The white outline around a road’s name is called a mask. The mask blocks out underlying line work or parcel/water colour fills so that the name will be clearly viewable at any scale. Partial marks may occur due to a problem with the map engine of the application. This issue will be resolved in the near future.
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What are the numbers within the parcel boundaries?
The numbers are municipal addresses. The numbers are generated from MPAC’s location field for each Roll Number.
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Why do some parcels not contain address numbers?
If there is no number at the start of the location field, or if there is text before the number, or a hyphenated number is present, then there will be no number within the parcel boundary.
Examples:
Location Field - 123 Oak Street South
Map – 123 will be shown on the map
Location Field - Oak Street South
Map – no address number will be shown on map
Location Field – South 123 Oak Street
Map – no address number will be shown on map
Location Field – 123-125 Oak Street South
Map – no address number will be shown map
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Why can’t I search for other condo units with
the map?
MPAC currently does not have three-dimensional information for condo units.
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I’ve looked at 100 “Property Detail Snapshots” and/or created my “Properties of Interest” report
for 24 properties. How do I look at more?
Please contact our Customer Contact Centre
at 1 866 296-MPAC (6722). One of MPAC’s Customer Service representatives will be happy to assist you.
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What are the counters for?
AboutMyProperty™ has counters in order to avoid potential abuses of the system. If you require property information greater than that provided through AboutMyProperty™ please contact us at;
Municipal Property Assessment Corporation
PO Box 9808
Toronto ON M1S 5T9
1 866 296-MPAC (6722)
or Fax: 1 866 297-6703
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My properties in the property of interest list are greyed out and I cannot delete them, why?
Once you have viewed the properties in Properties or Interest list AboutMyProperty™ saves them for you. If you come back at a later date these properties will be their for your review.
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What is the grey outline on the map?
The grey outline on the map shows the limits to which mapping is available for your property. If you would like to search for additional propeties outside the limits of the map please use the address search or contact us at;
Municipal Property Assessment Corporation
PO Box 9808
Toronto ON M1S 5T9
1 866 296-MPAC (6722)
or Fax: 1 866 297-6703
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Why can I not view non-residential properties in the snapshot window?
AboutMyProperty™ supports residential property owners and is designed to allow you to confirm the accuracy of your assessment. Part of the process is confirming your value to properties that are comparable to yours. As commercial properties are not comparable and may involve sensitive or private information AboutMyProperty™ is unable to display the information.
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How do I get my Properties of Interest List into my Request for Reconsideration?
AboutMyProperty™ enables you to save you Properties of Interest List to support your Request for Reconsideration submission. Simply save the report to your local machine then if you wish, you may attach it to your submission on the Request for Reconsideration screen
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How do I use the Map?
AboutMyProperty™ enables you to view properties around your own. To Zoom in on the map, click the Zoom In button and click on the area you would like to look at more closely.
To select a property use the Select Property tool on the right hand side of the toolbar. Click the tool then click on the property in the map that you are interested in. The mini-profile on the right hand side of the page show some information about the property.
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Why doesn't AboutMyProperty™ look or function properly on my computer?
AboutMyProperty™ is best viewed on Windows XP or Windows Vista using Internet Explorer 6 or Internet Explorer 7. While we do not restrict the use of other operating systems and web browsers, MPAC cannot guarantee that AboutMyProperty™ will look or function correctly while using them. If you are experiencing a technical problem with AboutMyProperty™, please use the Windows Update to ensure that all critical and relevant updates have been applied to your system. If you are still experiencing problems after updating your system, please call our Customer Contact Centre at 1 866 296-MPAC (6722) or contact us by e-mail at Contact Us to learn more about how you can receive the same information that is available through AboutMyProperty™ - free of charge. Please include your roll number in your e-mail.
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Will AboutMyProperty™ work on my computer?
AboutMyProperty™ is best viewed on Windows XP or Windows Vista using Internet Explorer 6 or Internet Explorer 7. While we do not restrict the use of other operating systems and web browsers, MPAC cannot guarantee that AboutMyProperty™ will look or function correctly while using them. If your computer does not meet these requirements, please call our Customer Contact Centre at 1 866 296-MPAC (6722), or send an e-mail to Contact Us to learn more about how you can receive the same information that is available through AboutMyProperty™ - free of charge. Please include your roll number in your e-mail.
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What is a Property Assessment Details Report?
The Property Assessment Details (PAD) Report illustrates how the specific characteristics of your property are valued. Characteristics include the location, the size of the property, the size of the house and any additional features. The characteristics may be separated into components that vary by property and, for most residential properties these characteristics will include:
- Base value
- Depth adjustment
- Frontage adjustment
- Basement area
- First floor area
- Second floor area
- Structure depreciation
- Parking/garage spaces
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Why doesn't my PAD screen add up?
Some components included in the report have a dollar value assigned to them. Others are in percentages and may be a plus or minus figure. If you are adding the component values and you come to a percentage, make a note of the subtotal. Apply the percent change at that point of the valuation. Then continue to add or subtract component values. The Total will be a rounded value.
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