Town Appraiser wants to inspect my house. (Briarcliff Manor: lawyer, inspector)

[Bairam]

I purchased a house in Briarcliff Manor NY and wanted to do some renovations before I moved in. Well I had an plans drawn and filed and approved. In the course of these renovations it was discovered that the house was built with many hidden defects. I am having these issues corrected but the house had to be gutted to do these repairs. I just received a letter from the Town Real Property Appraiser saying that he wants to schedule an appointment for an inspection to take the required measurements and inventory of my residence.
My question is do I have to let him into my house, I feel that any measurments he needs can be taken from the plans that I filed. I feel that this is a ploy to assess my house so that the taxes could be raised.

[ponytrekker]

Originally Posted by Bairam

I feel that this is a ploy to assess my house so that the taxes could be raised.

Mmmm could be Rabbit. Could be.

[dma1250]

I don't know that it is a "ploy" per se. Towns reassess property value when major work is done. The taxes are theoretically related to the house's value, so when you do major work that increases the home's value the taxes should theoretically go up. It depends on the work-- I got town approval for new kitchen, new bathrooms, gut reno of a room, and some other stuff and there was no reassessment or increase-- but if the work seems major the town will want to reassess. If the town's didn't do this then they would need to increase everyon's taxes across the board a lot more than they already do.

[sdcity]

sounds like the plans you submitted don't match the work you are doing. I am not a lawyer but I think you have to let them in.

I am in a similar boat but I am not filing for any permits until after the town inspector sees my house. When I bought the house the town appraiser said he would come see the home this summer. After he comes...time for upgrades.