What Information Does BC Assessment Have About My House?

Applies to British Columbia, including Vancouver and the Fraser Valley
Last updated: 2026-01-02

Many homeowners are surprised by how much information BC Assessment already has about their property, and how much of it directly affects the assessed value. This question comes up often across Vancouver, Surrey, Langley, Delta, White Rock, and Abbotsford, especially when a value feels off.

Understanding what data is on file, and where errors commonly appear, is one of the most practical steps a homeowner can take before considering an assessment review or appeal. Mansour Real Estate Group often starts here when helping clients determine whether an assessment issue is worth pursuing.

The types of information BC Assessment typically keeps

• Legal description and civic address
• Lot size and land dimensions
• Property classification (residential, strata, farm, etc.)
• Zoning and permitted land use
• Building size, type, and age
• Number of storeys and construction style

Building and improvement details

BC Assessment records typically include information about the main structure and any known improvements. This can include finished living area, basement details, garages, and outbuildings. These details often come from building permits, inspections, and historical records.

Sales and market-related data

While BC Assessment does not track current listings or buyer demand, it does analyze verified sales of comparable properties around the valuation date. These sales help inform assessed values across neighbourhoods and property classes.

What BC Assessment usually does not know

• Interior condition unless captured through permits or inspections
• Quality of renovations done without permits
• Short-term market changes after the valuation date
• Buyer emotion, competition, or urgency

How errors can find their way into the record

Errors often arise from outdated records, incorrect permit data, assumptions made during mass appraisal, or changes that were never reported or inspected. Even small inaccuracies, like overstated square footage or incorrect classification, can affect assessed value.

Why reviewing this information matters

Before looking at comparable sales or filing an appeal, confirming that BC Assessment’s property details are accurate is often the most efficient first step. Many issues are resolved simply by correcting factual data.

Common questions homeowners ask

Can I see what BC Assessment has on file for my house?
Yes. Property details are available through BC Assessment’s online property information system.

Does BC Assessment know about my renovations?
Only if they were permitted, inspected, or otherwise reported.

Can incorrect data increase my assessment?
Yes. Errors in size, age, or classification can affect value.

How often is this information updated?
Updates occur through permits, inspections, sales analysis, and periodic reviews, not on a fixed annual inspection cycle.

Should I fix errors before appealing?
Yes. Correcting factual errors is often the foundation of a strong appeal.

Putting this information to practical use

Knowing what BC Assessment has on file helps homeowners decide whether an issue is data-related or market-related. That distinction can save time and prevent unnecessary appeals. Mansour Real Estate Group helps clients review this information and decide what, if anything, should happen next.

Related reads in this BC Assessment series

How Does BC Assessment Determine the Value of My Home?
How Do I Appeal My BC Assessment If I Disagree With It?
What Are the Deadlines to Appeal My BC Assessment Value?
If I Appeal My BC Assessment, Can My Assessment Go Higher?

Official sources and resources

BC Assessment
BC Assessment, Property Information

In Summary

BC Assessment maintains detailed records about your property, and those records directly influence your assessed value. Reviewing and understanding this information is often the most effective first step before deciding whether further action is needed.

About Mansour Real Estate Group

Mansour Real Estate Group, led by Mohamed Mansour, MBA and Associate Broker, supports homeowners across Vancouver, the Fraser Valley, and the Lower Mainland. With over 22 years of experience and more than $780 million in completed transactions, the team provides valuation-driven guidance focused on timing, risk, and complex real estate decisions.

What Not To Do When Trying To Appeal A BC Assessment Value

Applies to British Columbia, including Vancouver and the Fraser Valley
Last updated: 2026-01-10

Most BC Assessment appeals fail for predictable reasons. Not because the homeowner was wrong, but because the argument didn’t match how the assessment system actually works.

Understanding what not to do can save time, frustration, and unnecessary risk. Mansour Real Estate Group often sees appeals fall apart due to avoidable mistakes that have nothing to do with the property’s true value.

The most common mistakes that weaken appeals

• Appealing because property taxes went up.
• Using current market conditions instead of the valuation date.
• Relying on active listings rather than sold comparables.
• Missing deadlines or filing incomplete submissions.
• Arguing fairness, emotion, or financial hardship.

1) Don’t argue that your taxes are too high

Property taxes and property assessments are related, but they are not the same thing. The appeal process is only about whether the assessed value is accurate as of the valuation date. Panels cannot adjust municipal tax rates or budgets.

2) Don’t ignore the valuation date

One of the fastest ways to lose credibility is to base your argument on sales or market conditions that occurred well after the valuation date. BC Assessment values are snapshots in time. Appeals must be anchored to that snapshot, not today’s reality.

3) Don’t rely on listings instead of sold evidence

Active listings show what sellers hope to get paid, not what buyers actually paid. Panels generally place far more weight on verified sales than on asking prices.

4) Don’t skip checking BC Assessment’s property data

Many appeals miss obvious factual errors because homeowners jump straight to market arguments. Incorrect square footage, classification, or recorded improvements can undermine the entire valuation if left unaddressed.

5) Don’t file late or assume deadlines are flexible

Assessment deadlines in BC are firm. Missing the January 31 filing deadline can end the process before it starts. Panels rarely accept late complaints, even when the underlying argument is strong.

6) Don’t overwhelm the panel with too much information

Submitting dozens of listings, charts, or irrelevant documents often weakens an appeal. Panels respond better to a small number of clear, relevant comparables with a logical explanation.

7) Don’t assume the value can only go down

Appeals are about accuracy, not relief. If evidence supports a higher value, the assessment can be adjusted upward. Ignoring this risk can lead to unintended outcomes.

Quick questions homeowners often ask

What’s the fastest way to lose an appeal?
Basing the case on taxes, emotions, or post-valuation-date market changes.

Are percentage increases valid evidence?
No. Year-to-year percentage changes are not evidence of market value.

Can I fix mistakes after I file?
Sometimes, but it’s much harder. Preparing properly before filing is safer.

Should I appeal every year my value goes up?
No. Appeals work best when there is a clear factual or market-based issue.

A more effective mindset

The strongest appeals are calm, evidence-driven, and realistic about risk. If the case doesn’t hold up on paper, it likely won’t hold up in front of a panel. Mansour Real Estate Group helps homeowners decide whether an appeal is a smart move, or whether energy is better spent elsewhere.

Related reads in this BC Assessment series

What Are the 5 Most Successful Ways to Appeal A BC Assessment Value?
How Do I Appeal My BC Assessment If I Disagree With It?
If I Appeal My BC Assessment, Can My Assessment Go Higher?
What Are the Deadlines to Appeal My BC Assessment Value?

Official sources and resources

BC Assessment, PARP Appeal Guide
Property Assessment Appeal Board, Appeal Resources

In Summary

Most failed BC Assessment appeals fail for the same reasons: wrong focus, wrong timing, weak evidence, or missed deadlines. Avoiding these mistakes dramatically improves the odds that an appeal will be taken seriously and evaluated on its merits.

About Mansour Real Estate Group

Mansour Real Estate Group, led by Mohamed Mansour, MBA and Associate Broker, supports homeowners across Vancouver, the Fraser Valley, and the Lower Mainland. With over 22 years of experience and more than $780 million in completed transactions, the team provides valuation-driven guidance focused on timing, risk, and complex real estate decisions.

What Are the 5 Most Successful Ways to Appeal A BC Assessment Value?

Applies to British Columbia, including Vancouver and the Fraser Valley
Last updated: 2026-01-02

Appealing a BC Assessment value isn’t about convincing someone your taxes are too high. It’s about proving, with evidence, that the assessed value is not accurate as of the valuation date. That difference matters a lot, especially in Vancouver and the Fraser Valley where values and market conditions can shift quickly.

The strongest appeals are simple, factual, and organized. They focus on property details and comparable sales, not frustration or year-to-year percentage changes. Mansour Real Estate Group helps homeowners sanity-check whether they have the kind of evidence that typically holds up in the review process.

The five approaches that tend to work best

• Start by confirming BC Assessment’s property details, then correct errors early.
• Build your case around comparable sales and the valuation date, not today’s market.
• Use “bracketing” comparables, some slightly better, some slightly worse, to show a reasonable value range.
• Prepare a short, logical explanation that ties your evidence to a specific value conclusion.
• Submit clean, organized evidence on time and focus on market value evidence, not percentage-change arguments.

A few terms that make this easier

Valuation date: The date the assessment is based on, typically July 1 of the previous year.

Notice of Complaint: The filing that starts the first-level review through BC Assessment by the January 31 deadline.

Comparable sales: Sold properties similar to yours, used as evidence of market value.

1) Verify BC Assessment’s facts about your home first

Before you pull sales, confirm the basics BC Assessment has on file, living area, lot size, year built, classification, and any recorded improvements. A clean appeal often starts with a simple correction. If the record is wrong, your value can be wrong for reasons that have nothing to do with the market.

If the issue is factual, bring proof that’s easy to verify, like surveys, permit records, or clear measurements. Keep it tight. The goal is to make the error obvious.

2) Anchor everything to the valuation date

Successful appeals focus on market value evidence tied to the valuation date, not what the market did after. That means your strongest comparable sales are usually those near the valuation date, with a clear explanation of why they’re similar.

If you use sales before or after the valuation date, treat them carefully. You may need to explain how market movement affects their relevance.

3) Use “bracketing” comparables to show a fair range

One strong technique is bracketing, using some comparables that are slightly superior to your property and some that are slightly inferior. This shows the panel a reasonable range and makes it easier to land on a value conclusion that’s grounded and defensible.

This tends to be more persuasive than cherry-picking the lowest sale and claiming it proves everything.

4) Explain your value conclusion like a normal person would

Panels respond to clear logic. You’re trying to answer one question, what was a reasonable market value for this property as of the valuation date?

A good structure is simple: list the comparables, state the key differences, then explain where your home fits in that range and why. If you’re aiming for a specific number, show how you got there. If you don’t, it can look like a guess.

5) Be organized, on time, and focused on evidence that counts

Appeals can fail even when the homeowner is “basically right” because the submission is messy or late. Keep documents readable, label everything, and use a small number of relevant comparables instead of a huge dump of listings.

Also avoid weak arguments. Government guidance for PARP hearings specifically notes that percentage-change arguments are not treated as valid evidence of market value. Stick to facts, comparable sales, and errors in the property record.

When these tips won’t help, and common mistakes

• Appealing only because your taxes went up, that’s not what the process is for.
• Using active listings instead of sold comparables as your main evidence.
• Using sales from the wrong time period without explaining market movement.
• Comparing your home to a different property class or a different micro-neighbourhood.
• Making the case about fairness, feelings, or percentage increases, instead of market value evidence.

Quick Q&A homeowners ask in BC

What’s the best evidence for a BC Assessment appeal?
Comparable sales and a clear explanation of how they support a different value as of the valuation date.

Do I need an appraisal to appeal?
Not always. Some homeowners prepare their own submissions, but the evidence still needs to be organized and market-based.

Are listings enough to prove my value is too high?
Listings can provide context, but sold comparables are typically stronger evidence of market value.

Can I just argue that my assessment increased too much?
No. Year-to-year percentage change is not evidence of market value on the valuation date.

If I appeal, can the value go up?
Yes. If evidence supports a higher value, the assessment can be adjusted upward.

What should I do first if I’m unsure?
Confirm BC Assessment’s property details, then review sold comparables near the valuation date.

If you want to appeal with less guesswork

If you’re thinking about appealing, it helps to pressure-test your evidence before you file. In many cases, the best first move is confirming the property record and pulling a small set of strong comparables around the valuation date. Mansour Real Estate Group can help you sort out whether your case is evidence-strong, or whether your time is better spent focusing on a sale, refinance, or longer-term plan.

Related reads in this BC Assessment series

How Do I Appeal My BC Assessment If I Disagree With It?
What Are the Deadlines to Appeal My BC Assessment Value?
If I Appeal My BC Assessment, Can My Assessment Go Higher?
What Information Does BC Assessment Have About My House?
How Does BC Assessment Determine the Value of My Home?

Official sources and resources

BC Assessment, PARP Complaint (Appeal) Guide
BC Assessment, Key Dates (PARP and PAAB timelines)
Government of BC, Preparing for Your PARP Hearing (Step-by-Step)
PAAB, Tips for Value-Based Submissions (Single Family Guide)
PAAB, Preparing Submissions on Market Value

In Summary

The most successful BC Assessment appeals are built on basics done well: accurate property facts, strong sold comparables, valuation-date discipline, bracketing, and organized submissions that clearly support a value conclusion. If you can’t tie your evidence to the valuation date and a logical number, it usually won’t land.

About Mansour Real Estate Group

Mansour Real Estate Group, led by Mohamed Mansour, MBA and Associate Broker, supports homeowners across Vancouver, the Fraser Valley, and the Lower Mainland. With over 22 years of experience and more than $780 million in completed transactions, the team provides valuation-driven guidance focused on timing, risk, and complex real estate decisions.