Newsday photo by Ken Spencer
We live in a senior complex of townhouses and condos called Mill Pond Acres. We all moved in at the same time, paid the same price and the units are the same size, with the same amenities. Everything is exactly the same but we have different assessments. Everyone here knows it isn’t right.
-- Joan Byrne, Port Washington
While our caller insists that all the units in her area are the same and that everyone should be assessed equally, Nassau County Assessor Harvey Levinson is firm that the varying assessments are justified.
“Although these homes look alike,” he said, “our records show they vary in square footage.” Units have 2-3 bathrooms, some owners qualify for the state’s enhanced STAR program that reduces school property taxes and some have veteran’s exemptions. Some units may have a lower assessment because they were purchased at pre-construction prices, Levinson said.
Assessments are also based on comparable home sales in the area, which can be viewed online. Click on Property Search and follow the prompts.
Levinson said assessments are also based on market value, so units with lower assessments will eventually catch up to those with higher ones.
Homeowners can also appeal their assessment, he said.
Also related to this topic:
*Nassau County Assessor's Office
*Suffolk County Town Assessors
