would you report neighbor who has pool not showing on county records? (renting, exemption)

[lifertexan]

Originally Posted by Big G

I just don't get people who spout this quote. Do you really subscribe to this philosophy? Would you really never report anything to the authorities? Where do you draw the line?

If your neighbor were growing pot in the backyard?
If he were abusing his kids?
If he parked on the street the wrong way?


When my neighborhood was being built, I called the cops two or three times when I saw people pilfering the construction sites. But apparently, I should be physically beaten for doing so.

There is a huge difference between protecting a neighbor's assets by calling the cops on thieves,and turning in a neighbor over a pool because "it isn't fair" that he doesn't pay taxes on it.I should think the differences would be self evident.And besides,turning in thieves isn't snitching,unless you are one of the thieves.Snitching implies betraying ones peers to the authorities,not calling the cops on thieves you see robbing your neighbor.And turning in a neighbor to the taxing mafia IS snitching,and I would never have anything to do with someone so petty ever again,and would make sure every neighbor knew of the pettiness of the snitch.

[Big G]

Originally Posted by lifertexan

If people were smart enough to understand the system,they would realize that reporting the neighbor will have the long term effect of causing your own taxes to go up,as the higher valued neighbors house will then be used as a comp house to compare yours to.If his value goes up,then it makes the whole neighborhood go up when he is used as a comp.

Good point.

There's one particular house in my neighborhood that is ridiculously overvalued. Since they moved from out of state, I don't think they realize the problem. I thought about suggesting they appeal. But then I realized that what would probably happen is that his would get cut, and another 20 (including my own) would get raised. So I've kept my silence out of self-interest.

However, unlike most of the others on here, I wouldn't hold it against my neighbor if he were to appeal his valuation.

Just going around and playing tax police to get others' valuations jacked up? I agree with you, that's being a jerk. But I see nothing wrong with trying to get yours lowered.

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In my specific neighborhood, probably 1/3 of the pools are missing from the tax rolls. Dunno what's up with that.

[compSciGuy]

Originally Posted by Big G

I just don't get people who spout this quote. Do you really subscribe to this philosophy? Would you really never report anything to the authorities? Where do you draw the line?

If your neighbor were growing pot in the backyard?
If he were abusing his kids?
If he parked on the street the wrong way?


When my neighborhood was being built, I called the cops two or three times when I saw people pilfering the construction sites. But apparently, I should be physically beaten for doing so.

In California I think options 1 (pot) & 2 (child abuse) are considered socially acceptable, but not 3 (parking incorrectly).

So, did the police do anything about the construction site thefts?

[Big G]

Originally Posted by compSciGuy

In California I think options 1 (pot) & 2 (child abuse) are considered socially acceptable, but not 3 (parking incorrectly).

So, did the police do anything about the construction site thefts?

Ran the plates and gave the info to the builder. In the one case I heard more about, it turned out to be subs helping themselves to fixtures and piping for use on their own side projects. Can you say Fired!?

[pinkgreenmover]

Originally Posted by needsomeinfo

if you want to fight on the grounds that your assessment is unfair compared to others in your neighborhood, go for it. but I would not call and rat them out.

Agree.

[Rakin]

As one can tell by these responses, it would not be the "neighborly" thing to do.

As I mentioned earlier, there should have been a permit issued when the pool was built. The tax man should have picked it up from the permit. They also do fly over photography of homes looking for new pools or buildings.

Let the tax man figure out any additions.

[DaveG99]

Originally Posted by Big G

I just don't get people who spout this quote. Do you really subscribe to this philosophy? Would you really never report anything to the authorities? Where do you draw the line?

If your neighbor were growing pot in the backyard?
If he were abusing his kids?
If he parked on the street the wrong way?


When my neighborhood was being built, I called the cops two or three times when I saw people pilfering the construction sites. But apparently, I should be physically beaten for doing so.

Its just a saying. Dont take it so literally . And if my neighbor was growing pot Id ask him for some.

Growing pot and abusing kids are totally different things. But being a rat is overall a bad thing.

[compSciGuy]

Originally Posted by DaveG99

Its just a saying. Dont take it so literally . And if my neighbor was growing pot Id ask him for some.

Growing pot and abusing kids are totally different things. But being a rat is overall a bad thing.

That's why you homeschool the kid. If he (or she) is homeschooled, he (or she) won't have the easy access to adults to complain about the child abuse. Plus, the curriculum includes lessons on pot cultivation in urban / suburban homes and gardens.

[northlakemetro]

No way. DO not report them. It is none of your business. Please go get a life. In Texas, you do not have to report what you buy your house for. So the tax value is often less than the market value. What you can do is to go argue that your house has less square feet than the neighbors and ask for a reduction in tax value at your next appraisal hearing.

[GoPadge]

Originally Posted by galore

Not my experience.

My home in crappy condition (in fact, it is now slated for demolition next week) is appraised at $129/sf. My neighbors home in really good condition is appraised at $91/sf.

The "commission" laughed me out of the room when I tried to appeal. Their commend was "tough luck".

Tax assessments can be successfully appealed. We did so in 2005 in Ellis county, but then my wife showed up with a signed statement from the seller for about $3000 cash back at the closing, estimates for the work that needed to be done (electrical, paint, carpentry, etc) and an album of high quality 35mm photos of the home. In 2004 our home was assessed at $78,000, we purchased it for $118,000 in August and miraculously it was assessed at $117,950 for 2005. After the appeal the commission lowered the assessed value down to $95,000.

Everyone else sitting in the lobby, who were scheduled with an appeal for that day, only had a copy of their assessment.