Valuation

Making an objection to property value

Any owner or ratepayer can object.

The capital value is an assessment of the probable price that would have been paid for the property if it had been sold on 1 July 2008. It includes the land value plus the value of buildings. It does not include chattels, or trees.

We want to hear from you if your property has changed through alterations or subdivision and you feel that this has not been reflected in your new valuation.

Note that you cannot object on the grounds of any possible effects of new values on your rates. Also note that a successful objection on one value, may result in adjustments to the other values, which can go up or down as a result of a review.

How to make an objection

You can object online or in writing.

The objection period for supplementary valuation finishes on the date shown at the bottom of your notice of valuation.

use our online service to make an objection now
alternatively, download and print an objection form and send it to us. Your letter must be postmarked on/before 1 December 2008.

Process

When we receive your objection we register it and you receive a letter of acknowledgment. A valuer will review the valuation as soon as it is possible to do so. There is no defined time frame because of the complexity of the process. The differing nature and time it takes to process each objection means it is not possible to prepare a timetable in advance.

A valuer will review the basis for the original valuation and, if necessary, make reasonable effort to contact you to discuss the objection and make an appointment for an inspection. Inspections are not necessary in every case. Objections are expensive to process and we are conscious of the need to avoid unnecessary expense.

Your objection will be considered by the team leader of valuation services, and this decision will be given to you in writing.

If you do not respond within 20 working days from the date of this letter, by law, the decision is deemed to have your agreement.

If you do not agree with the decision, you have 20 working days to lodge your objection with the Land Valuation Tribunal at the Auckland District Court. You must also send a copy of this application to:

Team leader
Valuation services
Auckland City Council
Private Bag 92516
Wellesley Street
Auckland 1141

The tribunal is a court of law. There is no charge for filing an objection but a small charge is made by the court if an objection proceeds to a hearing.

The Local Government Rating Act 2002 requires us to calculate property rates by using the new value until an objection is finalised. Penalty provisions apply if you choose not to pay rates on time even though the valuation is in dispute.

For objections settled after rates are calculated and where we revise the valuation, we will:

issue an amended notice
and adjust the amount of rates you need to pay
refund you (if appropriate).

Late objections

Section 32(2) of the Rating Valuations Act 1998 states:

"The objection must be made within the time and in the manner specified in regulations made under this Act."

However, section 6 provides territorial authority with the discretion to accept a late objection.

If you did not lodge an objection within the time specified in the notice of valuation and you feel that you have a good reason why we should accept your late objection, you must put your request in writing to:

The manager
Valuation services
Auckland City
Private Bag 92 516
Wellesley St
Auckland 1141.

Objection form

Here are the steps for making a written objection:

Download the objection form (254kb) PDF
Your objection must be postmarked on/before 1 December 2008.
Include supporting information and possible sources of more information with your objection. The onus of proof is on you.
Address your objection to:
The manager
Valuation services
Auckland City
Private Bag 92 516
Wellesley St
Auckland 1141.

To view PDFs download Acrobat Reader from the Adobe website. Further help on how to view PDFs

Updated December 2008