Residential Properties Assessment Data

GuidelinesfortheReleaseof
AssessmentData
ResidentialProperties
2016BaseYear
(2017-2020PropertyTaxYears)
May2016
Introduction
TheMunicipalPropertyAssessmentCorporation(MPAC)isresponsibleforassessingand
classifyingallpropertiesinOntarioincompliancewiththeAssessmentActandregulationsset
bytheGovernmentofOntario.
InOntario,propertyassessmentsareupdatedonthebasisofafour-yearassessmentcycle.In
2016,MPACisupdatingtheassessedvaluesofOntario’smorethanfivemillionpropertiesto
reflectthelegislatedvaluationdateofJanuary1,2016.Assessmentsupdatedforthe2016base
yearareineffectforthe2017-2020propertytaxyears.
MPACiscommittedtoprovidingpropertyowners,municipalitiesandallitsstakeholderswith
thebestpossibleservicethroughtransparency,predictabilityandaccuracy.Insupportofthis
commitment,MPAChasdefinedthreelevelsofdisclosureaspartofitsdeliveryofthe2016
province-wideAssessmentUpdate.
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Level1–MethodologyGuidesexplaininghowMPACapproachedthevaluationof
particulartypesofproperty
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Level2–MarketValuationReportsexplaininghowthemethodologyoutlinedinLevel1
hasbeenappliedatthesectorlevelforthepurposesofeachassessment
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Level3–PropertySpecificValuationInformationavailablethroughsecureaccessto
propertytaxpayers,theirrepresentativesandmunicipalities
Residentialpropertyownerscanaccessdetailedinformationabouttheirassessmentdirectly
through MPAC’s AboutMyProperty™ (aboutmyproperty.ca). Login information is provided
onevery2016PropertyAssessmentNoticemailed.
ManagementofMPACInformation
ThemanagementofMPACinformation,includingthecollection,retentionandreleaseofall
corporatedataisgovernedprimarilybytherequirementsestablishedundertheAssessment
Act,theMunicipalFreedomofInformationandProtectionofPrivacyAct(MFIPPA)andthe
MunicipalPropertyAssessmentCorporationAct.
Inaddition,otherrelevantlegislation,regulations,bindingagreements,anddecisionsofthe
courtsandregulatoryauthoritiesmayaffectthemannerinwhichMPACmanagesits
information.
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MPACmanagesthereleaseofassessmentdatainamannerthat:
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Meetstheneedsofpropertytaxpayers,municipalitiesandotherstakeholders.
Protectspersonalinformationofindividuals,suchaspropertyownersandtenants.
Respectsthefinancialandproprietaryinterestsofthirdparties,suchasbusinessowners.
PreservestheproprietaryinterestsoftheCorporation.
Utilizesthemostcost-effectiveandtimelyfulfilmentpractices.
ProtectionofPersonalPrivacy
MPACiscommittedtotheprotectionofprivacybymanagingthecollection,use,disclosure,
retentionanddisposalofpersonalinformationinamannerthatcomplieswiththe
requirementsoftheMFIPPA,theAssessmentAct,andallotherrelevantlegislationand
regulations,includingordersissuedbytheInformationandPrivacyCommissioner/Ontario(IPC)
andothertribunal/judicialrulings.
“Personalinformation”asdefinedbytheMFIPPAmeansrecordedinformationaboutanidentifiable
individualandincludes,butisnotlimitedto,aperson'sname,address,telephonenumber,religion,
age,sex,maritalorfamilystatus,orfinancialtransactionsinvolvingtheindividual.
MPACmay,fromtimetotime,releaseaggregateinformationintheformofdemographic
studiesorotherextractsconstructedfromtheaggregationofpersonalinformation.However,
theseproductsneitheridentifyindividualsdirectlynorenableotherstodeterminean
individual’sidentity.
Exceptaspermittedorrequiredbylaw,ororderedtodosobyaCanadiancourtortribunal,
MPACdoesnotreleaseincomeandexpenseinformation,personalinformation,anyotherdata
thatwouldenabletheidentificationofindividuals,orcertaincorporateproprietary
information.
EnsuringTransparencythroughAccesstoInformation
EverypropertyownerhastherighttoaccessandknowwhatinformationMPAChasabouttheir
propertyaswellastoreceiveinformationandassistancetohelpthemunderstandtheir
assessment.Propertyownerscanaccessinformationabouttheirpropertyandotherproperties
freeofchargefromMPACundertheGuidelinesfortheReleaseofAssessmentData(GRAD)
Policy.
Thisinformationincludes:
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thephysicalcharacteristicsofaproperty
itslocation
classification
assessedvalueandotherrelatedassessmentinformation
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AvailableReportsandInformation
MPAC’sAboutMyProperty™(aboutmyproperty.ca)isasecure,online,self-servewebsitethat
provideseasyaccesstoassessmentinformationatnochargetothepropertyowner.Through
aboutmyproperty.capropertyownerscanlearnmoreabouthowtheirpropertywasassessed,
seetheinformationMPAChasonfileaswellascompareittoothersintheirneighbourhoodor
area.
Informationonpropertyvaluesandmarkettrendsarealsoavailablethroughthesite.All
informationonAboutMyProperty™isprovidedtopropertyownersfreeofcharge.Theabove
informationisusefulifapropertyownerfilesaRequestforReconsiderationandmayalsoserve
asthebasisforanappealtotheAssessmentReviewBoard(ARB).
TherearefourmainsectionsinAboutMyProperty™:
1. MarketTrends–Learnmoreaboutmarkettrendsatamunicipallevel.
2. HowAssessmentWorks–Learnhowpropertiesareassessedandtherelationship
betweenpropertyassessmentandtaxation.AccessMPAC’sMethodologyGuidefor
valuingresidentialpropertiesinthissection.
3. MyProperty–SeethedetailedinformationMPAChasonfileforyourpropertyand
viewanddownloadacopyofthePropertyAssessmentNotice.
4. MyNeighbourhood–Usetheinteractivemaptocompareapropertytosimilar
propertiesinthesurroundingneighbourhoodandviewupto100propertiesand
downloadareportwithdetailsonupto24properties.AccessyourlocalareaMarket
ValuationReportinthissection.
ForinformationrequestedthroughAboutMyProperty™thefollowingreportsareprovided
freeofchargeforeachtaxationyearforeachpropertythatyouown:
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APropertyProfileReport–AvailablethroughMyProperty,thisincludesdetailed
informationaboutyourpropertyandmoreinformationaboutthefivekeyfactorsthat
accountfor85%ofyourproperty’sassessedvalue.
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PropertySnapshots–AsyoubrowsethroughMyNeighbourhoodyoucanaccessupto
100snapshotsofdataonotherpropertiesinyourneighbourhoodorarea.Eachsnapshot
providesthefollowinginformation:propertyaddress,yearbuilt,squarefootage,lotsize,
numberofstories,CurrentValueAssessment,andsalesinformation,ifapplicable.
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AFavouritesReport--Compareyourpropertywithupto24savedFavourites.This
detailedreportwillhelpyoucompareyourassessmenttosimilarpropertiesinyour
neighbourhoodtodeterminewhetheryourproperty'sassessedvalueisaccurate.The
reportcanbedownloadedandincludesaddress,RollNumber,CurrentValueAssessment,
saleandsiteinformation,aswellasresidentialstructuraldetails(e.g.squarefootage).
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Ifyourrecordisnotdisplayedonaboutmyproperty.ca,pleasefollowtheoptionsbelowfor
makingawrittenrequesttoMPAC.
PropertyownerswithouthighspeedInternetaccessathomewishingtologinto
aboutmyproperty.camayvisitanyofMPAC’slocalofficesforassistance.Accessto
aboutmyproperty.caisalsoavailablethroughServiceOntarioServiceCentresandparticipating
publiclibraries.
AdditionalRequestsforInformation
Inaddition,propertytaxpayersmayalsorequestandobtain,freeofcharge:
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AnMPACPropertyandSalesInformationReportwithdetailedinformationonuptosix
propertiesMPACbelievestobesimilartoyours.
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AMarketValuationReportforyourproperty’smarketareawillbeavailablethrough
AboutMyProperty™,springtofall2016.
RequestsforthisinformationmustbemadedirectlytoMPACinwriting.Informationonhowto
contactMPACisavailableonourwebsiteandonpage8ofthispolicy.
InformationforTenants
Uponrequest,atenantisentitledtoreceivetheinformationmaintainedbyMPACfora
property,ortheportionofaproperty,leasedbythetenantandtoreceiveanyother
informationabouttheproperty.AsoutlinedinSection53(4.1)oftheAssessmentAct,tenants
arenotentitledtoanyactualincomeandexpenseinformationfortheproperty.
RequestingPropertyInformation
PersonsEligibletoReceiveorRequestInformation:
TheownerofapropertyorapersonwhohasreceivedorisentitledtoreceiveaProperty
AssessmentNoticemayrequestinformationabouttheirproperty.
PersonslicensedbytheLawSocietyofUpperCanadatopracticelaw(lawyers)orprovidelegal
services(paralegals)mayrequestfactualinformationaboutapropertyonbehalfofaproperty
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ownerthattheyhavebeenengagedtorepresent.ARepresentativeAuthorizationFormsigned
bythepropertyownermaybesubmitted,butisnotrequired.
AnindividualexemptfromlicensingbytheLawSocietyofUpperCanadamayrequestfactual
informationaboutapropertyonbehalfofapropertyowner.Individualsexemptfromlicensing
include:
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Anindividualactingforafamilymember,friendorneighbour.
Anindividualactingforanon-profitorganization.
Anindividualwhoisemployedbyasingleemployerandprovidesthelegalservicesonly
forthatemployerandtonopersonotherthantheemployer.
Aconstituencyassistant.
ExemptindividualsactingonbehalfofthepropertyownermustsubmitaRepresentative
AuthorizationFormsignedbythepropertyowner.AnewRepresentativeAuthorizationForm
mustbesubmittedforeachassessmentyear.
Inaddition,membersofthefollowingorganizationshavealimitedexemptionfromLawSociety
licensingiftheyprovidelegalservicesonlyoccasionally,andancillarytothecarryingonoftheir
professionoroccupation:
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HumanResourcesProfessionalsAssociationofOntario
BoardofCanadianRegisteredSafetyProfessionals
Note:Membersoftheseorganizationsarerequiredtoprovideamembershipnumberora
suitableidentifier.
RequiredContentsofaRequestforPropertyInformationLetter:
AllindividualswhoarenotlicensedbytheLawSocietybutwishtorepresentapropertyowner
andrequestpropertyinformationmust,foreachtaxationyear:
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SubmitafullycompletedMPACRepresentativeAuthorizationForm,signedbythe
owner.
or
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ProvideMPACwithawrittenstatementsignedbytheowner,authorizedcompany
signatory,executorofanestate,personwithpowerofattorneyauthorization,etc.Ifthis
requestisfromacorporation,corporateletterheadmustbeused.
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Allrequestsforpropertyinformationmustcontainthe:
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AssessmentRollnumber
propertyaddress
ownername(s)
mailingaddress
telephonenumber,faxnumber(ifapplicable),andemailaddress(ifapplicable)
Iftherequestisfromapropertyowner’srepresentative,therequestlettermustalsoinclude
therepresentative’sname,company(ifany),mailingaddress,phonenumber,faxnumberand
emailaddress.
Notetorepresentatives:MPAC’sprovisionofinformationtoyouasanauthorized
representativeshouldnotbeconstruedasanacknowledgementbyMPACofanyrighttoactas
apersonprovidinglegalservicesonbehalfofanotherpersonasdefinedbytheLawSocietyAct
(sections1(5)and1(6)).MPACwillonlyengageindiscussionwithrespecttoaRequestfor
ReconsiderationoranassessmentappealwithpersonswhoareeitherlicensedbytheLaw
SocietyorindividualswhoarespecificallyexemptedbytheLawSocietyasoutlinedabove.
Formoreinformationonlicensingandexemptionsfromlicensing,pleasevisittheLawSociety
ofUpperCanadawebsiteathttp://lsuc.on.ca.
ForacopyoftheRepresentativeAuthorizationForm,clickhere.
GovernmentBodies
MPACprovidesavarietyofproductsandservices(includingthoserequiredorpermittedby
legislationorregulation)tomunicipal,provincialandfederalgovernmentsandtheiragencies.
Dependingontheproductorservice,MPACmayormaynotchargeafee.
MunicipalitiesandThirdParties
Municipalitiesarestatutorypartiestoallassessmentappeals.Inaddition,otherpersonsmay
fileappealsormaybeaddedaspartiestoappealsbytheARB.Thesepersonsarereferredtoas
“thirdparties.”WhenrespondingtoRequestsforInformationfrommunicipalitiesandthird
parties,MPACstaffmustcomplywiththerequirementsoftheAssessmentAct,theMFIPPAand
theMunicipalPropertyAssessmentCorporationAct.
Municipalitiesrequestinginformationaboutapropertytheyownhavethesameentitlements
asanyotherpropertyownerunderthisGRADpolicy.
Municipalitiesandthirdpartiesrequestinginformationaboutpropertiestheydonotown,are
entitledtoreceivethesamenumberofreportslistedabove,freeofcharge,onlywhenthe
informationisrequiredforpreparationrelatedtoanappealproperlyfiledwiththeARBbythe
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municipalityorathirdparty.Copiesofallinformationprovidedtomunicipalitiesandthird
partiesunderthisprocessarealsoforwardedbyMPACtotherespectivepropertyowner.
Municipalitiescannotobtainanyactualincomeorexpensedata.
Whenarequestisnotrelatedtoanassessmentappeal,orwhentherequestexceedsthe
entitlementslistedabove,additionalprocessesapplyandafee(s)willbechargedforthe
products.PleaserefertoMPAC’sProductCatalogueandPricingatwww.propertyline.cafor
self-servereportsandapplicableratesrelatingtoindividualproperties.Thirdpartieswithlarge
volumerequestsforinformationthatarenotappeal-relatedshouldcontactMPAC’sBusiness
Developmentdepartmentbyemailatproducts@mpac.caorthroughtheCustomDataRequest
linkonwww.propertyline.ca.
Municipalemployees/officialswithquestionsmaycontacttheirlocalMunicipalandStakeholder
Relationsrepresentatives.
HowtoContactMPAC
VisittheHowtoContactUspageatmpac.ca.
Call1866296-6722orTTY1877889-6722
Ifyouhaveaccessibilityneeds,pleaseletourrepresentativesknowhowwecanassistyou.
Fax:1866297-6703
Mail:
TheMunicipalPropertyAssessmentCorporation
GuidelinesforReleaseofAssessmentData
POBox9808
TorontoONM1S5T9
Disclaimer
Thisdocumenthasbeenpreparedforthesolepurposeofprovidingthepublicandstakeholders
withageneralunderstandingoftheassessmentproceduresforGuidelinesforReleaseof
AssessmentData.Applicablelawprevailstotheextentthereisanyconflictbetweenthis
documentandtherelevantlaw.
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