The initial phase of Middletown's revaulation began earlier this month, according to the tax assesor's office. Homeowners can expect that listers from who are now out on city streets and visiting houses, will be stopping by their house.
Connecticut towns must implement revaluations every five years. Middletown's
Listers have begun to visit residential properties to measure the building's exterior and, with permission from the owner, view the building’s interior. Building characteristics such as number of rooms, bathrooms, finished area, number of living units, property location, size, age, quality of construction, improvements, topography and utilities are noted.
To ensure a home has been viewed, the homeowner is asked to sign a data collection form to verify the inspection. The entire process takes 15 minutes. Listers generally work between 8:30 a.m. and 7 p.m. Monday through Saturday.
Two separate attempts are usually made to enter a property, if no one is home on both occasions, a letter will be send to homeowners to call for an appointment. Listers cannot answer questions about value, assessments or taxes.
It will take several months for all properties in Middletown to be visited and homeowners will be notified in advance of listers working in their neighborhood.
All listers carry a photo identification badge and will be registered with the city's assessor’s office and police department. Residents are urged not to allow anyone to enter their home unless proper ID is presented.
While property owners are not required to permit listers to inspect their property, they are strongly encouraged to do so to ensure accurate data is obtained and a fair appraisal of their property performed.
If a lister is unable to perform an interior inspection of the property, they will be required to estimate building characteristics such as condition, room count or finished area, which could result in an inaccurate or excessive assessment.
To verify a lister is working in a neighborhood, call police at 860–344-3200. Questions about the revaluation may be directed to the tax assessor's office at 860-344-3454. Vision Government Solutions can be contacted at 1-888-844-4300.
