Fewer homeowners challenging official assessments; Objections fall by half in a year

The number of property value objections has fallen by nearly half in a year, according to the Netherlands Council for Real Estate Assessment, which checks the municipalities regarding this. There are currently 325,000 homes in the Netherlands with an objection, compared to 595,000 at the same time a year ago.

Municipalities annually appraise the official assessed value of real estate, known as the WOZ value. This determines the property tax charged every year, and sometimes the sewerage charges for homeowners.

Homeowners can contest the calculations with the municipality if they disagree with the valuation, or think the amount and the taxes and charges are too high, for example. “It still needs to be researched why there is a drop in objections,” said director Linda Hennink of the Netherlands Council for Real Estate Assessment.

“But two changes are visible compared to a year earlier. Firstly, the value development of homes was lower last year than a year before; it is quite logical that homeowners ask fewer questions about their WOZ value in this case. In addition, the measures implemented by State Secretary Van Rij play a role as they limit commercial objection agencies.”

Since the start of this year, objection agencies have been obligated to reduce the legal costs they charge. This also makes their practice less profitable.

The number of objections submitted by these types of objection agencies showed a clear decrease from 305,000 last year to 166,000.