Frequently Asked Questions

General Questions
What is an assessment?
What is market value?
What are the four classes of property in Nassau County?
Why are there four different classes of property?
What is reassessment?

Nassau's Reassessment Project
Who is conducting the reassessment?
Will all properties be reassessed, including those that were subject to recent appeal proceedings?
How will Nassau County residents and business owners be kept informed about the reassessment project?
How is residential property value determined?
What property information is being collected?
How is this property information collected?
What if the building(s) is not visible from the public right-of-way?
Will an interior inspection of property be requested?
If an interior inspection is requested, and I choose to not let data gatherers in my property, what happens?
Will all individuals working on the reassessment project have identification?
How will I know that the information collected is accurate?
Will the data mailer tell me what my new assessment will be?
Does this project mean that my current assessed value will not change between now and 2003?
How will the reassessment project affect my property taxes?
When will the first tax bill utilizing the new assessment be issued?
How and when will I be notified of my new assessment?
What if I disagree with the value of my property?
Nassau County and Annual Reassessment?

General Questions

What is an assessment?

An assessment is a number having a direct relationship to the market value of a property.  New York State law requires that assessments be maintained at a uniform percentage of market value.
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What is market value?

This is the amount of money a willing buyer would pay a willing seller for property offered for sale in an open market over a reasonable amount of time for exposure, where both the buyer and the seller are well informed and neither is under any pressure to act.
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What are the four classes of property in Nassau County?

The four classes are as follows:

1. Residential homes, two and three-family homes, and low-rise condominiums.  
2. Apartments, cooperatives, and high-rise condominiums.  
3. Utility plants and equipment (wires and poles, etc.).
4. Commercial property, industrial property, and vacant land.

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Why are there four different classes of property?

The New York State Legislature created these classes to prevent major tax shifts from one property type to another.
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What is reassessment?

Reassessment is the systematic review of the assessed value of all properties, for the purpose of bringing all values to a uniform percentage of market value.
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Nassau's Reassessment Project

Who is conducting the reassessment?

The Nassau County Department of Assessment has contracted with the Cole Layer Trumble Company (CLT) to perform the reassessment.  CLT is widely recognized as the industry leader in the appraisal of real property.  During its 62-year history, CLT has successfully completed over 2,500 reassessment projects in 44 states, including more than 200 in New York State.  In addition, CLT will be utilizing the services of local appraisers and real estate experts to assist in the project.  Employment opportunities for local residents will be available throughout the project for qualified individuals.
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Will all properties be reassessed, including those that were subject to recent appeal proceedings?

Yes.  The fact that a property owner may have recently had an assessment changed through an appeal proceeding does not impact the reassessment.  Class 3 properties (utility plants and equipment), however, will not be part of this project.
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How will Nassau County residents and business owners be kept informed about the reassessment project?

Residents and business owners will receive regular project updates through the use of press releases, town meetings, community and organization forums, direct mailings and two web-sites established for this purpose.
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How is residential property value determined?

A residential property value is determined by collecting the characteristics of each property and comparing these characteristics to similar properties in comparable locations that have recently sold.  Adjustments for differences are then made to arrive at a market value for the property.  This is called the sales comparison approach to value and is primarily used for residential property.  For commercial and industrial property, rental income and expenses are also considered in the valuation process.  This is called the income approach.  The cost approach may also be used if insufficient sales or income information is available (i.e. churches and power plants).
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What property information is being collected?

Examples of some of the more common characteristics collected during the reassessment process are as follows:

• Location, Lot size, Topography, Zoning, Square Footage, Style, Grade of Construction, Condition, Number of Bathrooms, Garage Size and Type, Number of Rooms, Basement Type, Year Built, Effective Age, Porches, Decks, Pools, Other Improvements, and View.  While this list is not all-inclusive, it should give you a good idea of the major characteristics being collected and considered.

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How is this property information collected?

Each property will be the subject of a three-step review process.  The first visit will be to digitally photograph all structures from the public right-of-way (street or sidewalk).  The second visit will be to verify all property characteristics necessary to accurately value the property.  This is also performed from the public right-of-way.  The third visit will be to review the computer-generated assessment for the property, also performed from the public right-of-way.
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What if the building(s) is not visible from the public right-of-way?

If a property is not visible from the public right-of-way, the owner will be contacted to arrange an appointment for verifying the characteristics through an exterior inspection of the improvements.  Some characteristics may also have to be estimated.
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Will an interior inspection of property be requested?

Generally, the answer is NO.  However, the following exceptional cases may result in a request from CLT for an interior inspection appointment:

• If a building permit is outstanding on the property, an interior inspection may be requested.
• If a major error is discovered during verification, an interior inspection may be requested.

In all situations, if an interior inspection is deemed appropriate, the property owner will be contacted by CLT to schedule an appointment, either by phone or mail.  Unannounced visits requesting an interior inspection will not occur at any time.
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If an interior inspection is requested, and I choose to not let data gatherers in my property, what happens?

Property owners have a constitutional right to deny access to their property.  Nonetheless, the data verifier is still required to estimate the information, should you be unavailable.  Cooperating with a request for an interior inspection will help assure that characteristics are accurately recorded and the property value is accurately determined.
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Will all individuals working on the reassessment project have identification?

YES, all individuals working on the project will have picture identifications cards issued by the Nassau County Police Department. Local police departments will also be informed of all individuals working on the project for verification purposes.

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How will I know that the information collected is accurate?

Approximately eight weeks after the data verification of a property has taken place, the property owner will be mailed a printed property report.  This report, referred to as a "data mailer", will show all the characteristics of your property that will be used in the valuation process.  Owners will be asked to review the information for accuracy and report any errors or mistakes.
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Will the data mailer tell me what my new assessment will be?

No.  It will only show you the characteristics that will be used to value the property.  All property owners will be notified of their new assessment in mid-late 2002.
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Does this project mean that my current assessed value will not change between now and 2003?

No.  The County will continue to maintain its current system and procedures until the reassessment project is complete.  Thus, if you make improvements or demolitions to your property, your assessment will be adjusted accordingly.
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How will the reassessment project affect my property taxes?

The reassessment’s affect on the property tax of any individual property can not be estimated until all parcels have been valued and all taxing jurisdiction budgets determined, which will not be until 2003.  This is because the total value of the county properties is divided into the dollars to be raised by taxes in the various budgets to determine the tax rate.  This amount is determined by taxing jurisdictions legislative bodies (county legislature, town boards, school boards, etc.) as a component of their budget process.  The Nassau County Assessment Department only values property, and is not a taxing jurisdiction.
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When will the first tax bill utilizing the new assessment be issued?

The school tax bill issued on October 1, 2003 will be the first bill utilizing the new values.  This will be true for everyone within Nassau County, with the exception of the City of Glen Cove, which levies taxes based on their own determined assessments.  Some villages may also have a tax that is issued using the new assessments in 2003, but prior to October 1st.  Contact your village for more information and to see if this applies to you.
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How and when will I be notified of my new assessment?

In mid-late 2002, each property owner will be mailed a notice informing them of their new assessment.  Informational material will also be included with this mailing.  Notices will be mailed over a several month period in order to properly handle inquiries from property owners.  Thus, not everyone will get his or her new assessment at the same time.
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What if I disagree with the value of my property?

Property owners will have ample opportunity to have their values reviewed at informal meetings that will be scheduled over a several month period at numerous locations around the County.  These informal hearings will take place in mid-to-late 2002.  Property owners who are in disagreement with the accuracy of their new assessment retain the right to file a formal grievance during the County's grievance period, as established by law.
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Nassau County and Annual Reassessment?

Starting with the 2004 assessment roll, it is the intention of the Nassau County Assessment Department to perform annual reassessments.  This will capture changes in values that take place from year to year.  Capturing changes in value, both decreases and increases as reflected by the market, will assure equity and fairness to all taxpayers within the county.