Tax assessors, trespassing and leering into windows...

[Tynimiller]

My spousal unit and I have been advocating this to our state rep...it's going to take a huge swing towards fiscal conservatism and recognition of property rights to make it happen. Our state rep agrees but can only do so much...

It's true, and I've sat in with some reps in discussions of it as well. Let me guess you guys also hate DNR officers too...as they can come and go as they wish as well?

 

[Fantix]

Gee, it's a shame that we don't live in a free country where someone could actually own property instead of buying semi-permanent squatting rights and the privilege of perpetually paying rent to the to the government.

Eliminate property taxes and POOF! The issue that spawned this topic is moot.

My feelings exactly. We never really own, just rent from the government for a lifetime.

 

[Thor]

It's true, and I've sat in with some reps in discussions of it as well. Let me guess you guys also hate DNR officers too...as they can come and go as they wish as well?

I support the DNR being allowed to come and go as they please on public lands or on private lands with the permission of the land owner.

This does not equate to 'hating' DNR officers.

 

[Tynimiller]

I support the DNR being allowed to come and go as they please on public lands or on private lands with the permission of the land owner.

This does not equate to 'hating' DNR officers.

Happy to hear, just testing the waters you could say .

 

[Tynimiller]

I would also add....if you wish absolutely no visitation, I'm talking not even coming to door and knocking without a call first, just call your local assessor's office and request your file be flagged for such a case. I don't know if this is possible but is a easy step in potentially easing your concerns yet still allowing them a way to do their job.

 

[Kirk Freeman]

Let me guess you guys also hate DNR officers too

Not at all.

They are just state troopers in green.

 

[amboy49]

It's true, and I've sat in with some reps in discussions of it as well. Let me guess you guys also hate DNR officers too...as they can come and go as they wish as well?

. Well, if you must know - i do seem to have a gut reaction against a law enforcement officer that can apparently go where he/she pleases ( read as trespass w/out a warrant or probable cause). Perhaps just me. Never been convicted or even accused of a game violation by a member of the DNR but in speaking with a few of them I have gotten the feeling of their arrogance and "untouchable" attitude when it comes to practicing their law enforcement activities.



Interesting observations of our direction.....
bigdogtx, Nov 24, 2012, in forum: Off Topic Threads
Replies:0
Views:381
bigdogtx
Nov 24, 2012

 

[Henry]

. Well, if you must know - i do seem to have a gut reaction against a law enforcement officer that can apparently go where he/she pleases ( read as trespass w/out a warrant or probable cause). Perhaps just me. Never been convicted or even accused of a game violation by a member of the DNR but in speaking with a few of them I have gotten the feeling of their arrogance and "untouchable" attitude when it comes to practicing their law enforcement activities.



Interesting observations of our direction.....
bigdogtx, Nov 24, 2012, in forum: Off Topic Threads
Replies:0
Views:381
bigdogtx
Nov 24, 2012

And I, among many others, agree.

 

[cwillour]

Okay, first and foremost allow me to attempt to bring some understanding to the situation as to the reasons local township or county assessors would be visiting your property for assessment purposes. I used to work for the county assessor in the county I grew up in until last September. I know work for a private contractor who works with local county/township government (assessor's offices) providing them valuation services in their appeal processes (when disagreement over what is fair market value of a property is filed by a taxpayer or tax rep on their behalf). With both my past employment and my current I am familiar with assessing offices and the things they have to do in order to hopefully capture proper valuations on properties.

I will stress I work with quite possibly two of the most well ran and professional acting offices, which strive and many times go above and beyond what they have to do in service to their local tax payers and land owners. However, I know first hand not all offices have knowledgeable or fully capable people and practices/actions show this lack of ability.

I got this far, looked to the side and saw Osceola, and thought "I HOPE he's not going to say he worked with Portage Township." I have only had to file a dispute once, just after the methods changed, but it was a whopper. Between errors in the way they dated our house to which properties and condition grades they used when calculating comps, our assessment was reduced by almost 25% (it was still high, but I wasn't going to fight over the last few %.)

 

[Lex Concord]

Those who have asserted trespass. Where, under IC do the acts of the assessor constitute a trespass?

While the land may be posted, the assessor, as an agent of the property's true owner (the county) seems to have a "contractual interest" in the property; that of establishing the annual lease payment (aka property taxes).

If we want government agents to stop treating "our" property as if they own it, we need to work to repeal the laws which validate that ownership.

Strike the root, not the symptom.

 

[Lex Concord]

All for that, despite the impact it would have on my revenue...however it cannot be magically removed without repurcussions. Our state isn't ready to handle it, and sadly no plan to recoup all that revenue was stated or feasible without hiking taxes somewhere else.

Field workers for assessor's offices are merely after correct data, as to ensure you're not inaccurately assessed and unfairly treated in comparison to all your fellow taxpayers.

Why do you assume that all of the revenue must be replaced? Are all government programs so indespensible? Should public education (even taking for granted that it should be kept at all) continue to cost nearly twice as much as an often superior private education? Would the loss of free internet porn for welfare slackers at our public libraries be a huge societal loss?

 

[Prometheus]

Gee, it's a shame that we don't live in a free country where someone could actually own property instead of buying semi-permanent squatting rights and the privilege of perpetually paying rent to the to the government.

Eliminate property taxes and POOF! The issue that spawned this topic is moot.

Couldn't agree more Rhino.

I met my new rep a few weeks ago on election night. I'll be talking to him about it.

The amount of money saved by eliminating that office would be pretty hefty too. I went down to file my home owners exemption and there had to be 16 employees in that office... that I could SEE from the counter. Taxpayers in my county would be saving a hefty 7 figures (at least) in salaries and related benefits / expenses.


I'll be installing a gate in the spring, going to a long walk for them next time around... assuming they park and walk around the gate / fence. I really can't fence off my entire property.

 

[amboy49]

Those who have asserted trespass. Where, under IC do the acts of the assessor constitute a trespass?

While the land may be posted, the assessor, as an agent of the property's true owner (the county) seems to have a "contractual interest" in the property; that of establishing the annual lease payment (aka property taxes).

If we want government agents to stop treating "our" property as if they own it, we need to work to repeal the laws which validate that ownership.

Strike the root, not the symptom.

Let me understand this - you're asserting the "county" is the true owner of private property ? ! ! ! I hope you intended purple - otherwise you sir, are a flaming idiot ! Please confirm I've interpreted your statement above.

if your statement is correct I should have been asking the county to make my mortgage payment when I had one ! Maybe I could convince them to come over and cut my grass (?)

 

[Henry]

Let me understand this - you're asserting the "county" is the true owner of private property ? ! ! ! I hope you intended purple - otherwise you sir, are a flaming idiot ! Please confirm I've interpreted your statement above.

if your statement is correct I should have been asking the county to make my mortgage payment when I had one ! Maybe I could convince them to come over and cut my grass (?)

Try not paying your tribute to the state. You will discover rather quickly who owns that property you've been funding.

Welcome to serfdom.

 

[Lex Concord]

Let me understand this - you're asserting the "county" is the true owner of private property ? ! ! ! I hope you intended purple - otherwise you sir, are a flaming idiot ! Please confirm I've interpreted your statement above.

if your statement is correct I should have been asking the county to make my mortgage payment when I had one ! Maybe I could convince them to come over and cut my grass (?)

So, you pay a mandatory fee on a schedule to an entity with the legal authority to forcibly remove you for non payment, and you think you "own" it?

And I am the flaming idiot?

Rather than ask the county to pay your mortgage, you and millions of others should wake up and demand our legislators correct the injustice. The state (small 's') is the de facto owner of all real estate in any jurisdiction with a property tax.

 

[Tynimiller]

I got this far, looked to the side and saw Osceola, and thought "I HOPE he's not going to say he worked with Portage Township." I have only had to file a dispute once, just after the methods changed, but it was a whopper. Between errors in the way they dated our house to which properties and condition grades they used when calculating comps, our assessment was reduced by almost 25% (it was still high, but I wasn't going to fight over the last few %.)

Nope never worked with the office you mention. Lack of correct data is by far the greatest issue in properly trying to assess properties for assessing officials.

 

[Libertarian01]

To All,

On a slight tangent I used to work in my fathers insurance office.

When a client bought a new home we had to go do a home inspection. This included getting a basic idea of the square footage of the home, its general condition, and so forth.

We would ask our clients who were purchasing the property to let the current owners know we would be by sometime, but I doubt few did. There was no way to determine exactly when we would be by, as we would fit in several home lookups as time and weather permitted. Sometimes I would have two (2) or three (3) in a day to do while other times I might take an entire afternoon to get about a dozen fitted in.

I would always go to the front door to knock, introduce myself, and let them know what I was there to do. People weren't always home but I wanted to be professional and introduce myself whenever possible.

The only time I would peer into a window was near a garage. If I couldn't determine from the outside where the garage ended and living space began I would try to clarify as this had a direct impact on the value of the home and the cost of the insurance to our client. Sometimes this helped me determine where the garage portion ended while other times it did me no good whatsoever.

I would also make note of the condition of the roof, general condition of the exterior, and if they had a porch I would walk all over the porch to determine its structural integrity. While I was no engineer an overweight guy walking with a slight bounce could tell a lot. There were a couple of porches where I stopped bouncing relatively quickly and made note to NOT insure the property unless/until basic repairs had been made. This would kick it up a level to the insurance company adjuster who could do a more detailed inspection and get back with input. For example, they may insure it temporarily and conditionally for six (6) months, then reinspect for safer flooring.

I had neighbors several times ask what I was doing and I was always happy to tell them, but out of respect for my clients privacy I would not identify who my clients were or anything beyond the insurance inspection for sale. I never had the police called on me but I would always invite it politely if the neighbors became pushy. I considered it none of their business, but obviously with a for sale sign out front they knew the current owners were selling.

If someone was home I might ask to do a brief walkthrough, especially if there was a basement. Beyond that I didn't care. The issues with a basement were size and condition.

I would also pace off the square footage of any exterior buildings, such as a barn, garage, or shed. These are normally covered up to 20% of the value of the home.

I know this isn't for tax purposes but I wanted to share another person who might be showing up at a home to walk around it.

Regards,

Doug

 

[CathyInBlue]

I know this isn't for tax purposes but I wanted to share another person who might be showing up at a home to walk around it.

An insurance inspector is a far cry from a tax assessor, similar though the form of their operations may be. Your job was one pre-arranged with the owner, at the owner's behest. Very few property owners ask the government to come into their home for the purpose of demanding a more precise amount of tribute from them. Home insurance, despite what anybody may say, is an option, not mandatory, at the barrel of a government gun.

I consider government officials not knowing the size, layout, extent, materials, spaces, and features of my home to be a capital issue of privacy. One no different from that protected by the 4th Amendment.

 

[rhino]

"REVENUERS!!!"

"MARTHA! GIT THE 'GAUGE!"

 

[Prometheus]

"REVENUERS!!!"

"MARTHA! GIT THE 'GAUGE!"