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I'm wondering what the rules are in NJ to determine that a basement is "finished". If they depend on the town or county, is there a norm? We're in Union County, if that helps.
Our basement is technically unheated (although some heat escapes from the boiler). I've heard from a neighbor that the previous owners kept the basement unheated in order to keep the taxes lower. FYI, there is drywall and finished ceiling in parts of the basement, and wall-to-wall carpet in one room.
Late last year a building inspector was in the basement to inspect a minor structural repair. Now I've received a notice from the town saying my assessment has been raised. I called and spoke with an assistant at the building department, and she said the basement was marked as"finished" on a date which coincided with the inspection.
I'm wondering if this is worth appealing. I've heard that if I appeal, there's a risk of the assessment going even higher.
I don't know exactly how they will judge it, but I do know that to count as "finished" the space needs to have a heat source and also must have an exit to the outside either as a door or window large enough for a person to leave through. Anything else doesn't meet the definition.
That's why you don't invite the "man" into the house unless it is absolute necessary.
I honestly don't think those guys qualify anyway. I am sure most of them are from book knowledge instead of experiences.
I agree. I would never intentionally invite an "inspector" into my home. Make the repairs and be done with it. I know people who have owned homes for 40 years and never had inspectors come in.
If you don't have a permit it'll come back to haunt you...at least when you try to sell the place. Regarding the deck comment that was mentioned earlier, my inspector had said that if it is free standing (not attached to the house) it isn't considered a "permanent structure" and shouldn't affect your taxes. I though that was good to know for future houses.
Regarding the deck comment that was mentioned earlier, my inspector had said that if it is free standing (not attached to the house) it isn't considered a "permanent structure" and shouldn't affect your taxes.
...and I have been told by a Tax Assessor that this old chestnut is a fable.
I wonder if anyone knows the REAL truth of the matter.
Thanks everyone for the feedback. We actually just bought the house, and the town inspector came while the previous owners were still there to inspect remedial work that had been done on our behalf.
Based on your comments, and on the fact that it took a lot of wrangling by the previous owners to go through the building permit process (this town is very slow), I will likely try to keep them out of the loop in the future, unless major work is done.
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Get the permits!
