How do I know if my property has been assessed fairly?


Compare your assessment to a property that is in close proximity to yours and has a residence of similar age, size, style and quality of construction. After you have compared your assessment to similar properties, contact the Leduc County Assessment office to explain any differences or concerns.

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How can I compare my property's assessment with similar properties?

The assessment roll is available for inspection at the County Centre during normal business hours. You may also contact the department directly.

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What if I don't agree with my property assessment?

Compare your property assessment with similar properties in your area. If you have concerns, contact the Leduc County assessment office to speak with an assessor. If there is an error in your property's information or if some features are incorrect, an assessor is able to make a correction and send you an amended assessment notice.

If after discussing your property assessment with the assessor, you still feel your property assessment doesn't reflect what your property would have sold for in the open market, you are able to file a complaint with the clerk of the assessment review board.

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How is my property assessed?

If your property is NOT being used as part of a farming or ranching operation, it will be assessed at market value. If your property is part of a farming or ranching operation, you have a minimum of three acres of land, house(s), and/or any accessory buildings assessed at market value and the remaining land area will be assessed at a farmland value. In accordance with Government of Alberta legislation, any buildings used as part of the farming or ranching operation will be considered farm buildings and are exempt from taxation.

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What is "market value"?

Market value is the price a property might reasonably be expected to sell for if sold by a knowledgeable, willing seller to a willing buyer after appropriate time and exposure in an open market. The market-value based standard is used to determine the assessed values for the majority of properties in Alberta.

Key characteristics of "market value" are:

* the most probable price; not the highest, lowest or average price
* expressed in terms of a dollar value
* assumes a transaction between unrelated parties in the open market.
* assumes a willing buyer and a willing seller, with no advantage taken by either party
* recognizes both present and potential uses of the property.

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How is farmland assessed?

In accordance with Government of Alberta legislation, farmland is currently assessed based on its productive value. All farmland is rated based on its ability to produce income from raising livestock and/or growing crops.

The productive value of farmland is determined by assigning a value for the best soils and then making adjustments for less than optimum conditions such as stones, the presence of sloughs or topography not conducive to farming practices.

If you would like more information regarding the assessment of farmland, please contact the Regulated Assessment Policy Unit, Alberta Municipal Affairs

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Do I qualify for farm status?

In the Municipal Government Act's matters relating to assessment and taxation regulation , farming operations are defined as:

1. (i) "farming operations" means the raising, production and sale of agricultural products and includes

+ horticulture, aviculture, apiculture and aquiculture
+ the production of livestock as defined in the Livestock and Livestock Products Act, and
+ the planting, growing and sale of sod.

The Livestock and Livestock Products act defines livestock as:

1. (e) "livestock" means horses, cattle, sheep, swine, goats, fur-bearing animals raised in captivity, domestic cervids within the meaning of the Livestock Industry Diversification Act, live poultry and bees."

Below are some examples of common situations where you may qualify for farmland status.

* You or a neighbour is grazing livestock on your property
* You or a neighbour is taking hay or a crop from your property
* You or a neighbour has a tree/plant nursery in operation

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What is Rural Assessment Policy (RAP) exemption?

In a rural municipality, a residence on farmland is exempted from assessment, in whole or in part, based on the assessed value of the qualifying farmland owned by the farmer or rancher. This exemption applies only to land owned by the farmer or rancher or leased from the Crown or a municipality. Land that is leased from private owners does not qualify for an exemption.

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