Skip to main content

County Appraisal Districts Are Ignoring The Law In Valuing Flooded Properties

Harris County Appraisal District (HCAD) Is Over-Taxing Flooded Property Owners By 50 To 100%.

tax law
HCAD is NOT valuing these flooded properties accurately.
They are not following mandatory requirements of the Tax Code and the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation.
HCAD and the Appraisal Review Board (ARB) are not considering market evidence in valuing flooded homes, grossly overtaxing Texans at their time of greatest need. 
Both HCAD and the ARB are overtly ignoring the law.  HCAD appraisers are testifying that the HCAD has not developed an opinion of market value.  Despite evidence from the HCAD appraiser that their valuation does not meet basic requirements, ARB panels are ratifying the HCAD value in a breath-taking display of raw power and force.
The appraisal district and the ARB appear to be ignoring all evidence at hearings.  In our opinion, it is clear the process is a sham after 1 or 2 hearings.
The ARB has also imposed a rule they will not consider any evidence of market value unless the property owner provides bids of repair costs.
This requirement violates the law and is denying owners of flooded properties a fair hearing.
Over the past 2 days, Patrick O’Connor, President of O’Connor, attended the HCAD disaster reappraisals on behalf of some of our clients alongside our team of tax agents. He was there to testify as an appraiser as well as act as an agent. We filmed at least 15 hearings believing upfront (and as it turned out, correctly) that HCAD would not act according to the law.  The recording of one of the hearings is available for you here.
Ten plus O’Connor team members have attended the disaster reappraisal hearings, and to a person, each is stunned HCAD and the ARB are so boldly ignoring the law, and over-taxing flooded property owners by 50 to 100%.  If HCAD were a private business, this would be price gouging.
For your reference, Texas Tax Code Sec. 23.02.  REAPPRAISAL OF PROPERTY DAMAGED IN DISASTER AREA. (a) The governing body of a taxing unit that is located partly or entirely inside an area declared to be a disaster area by the governor may authorize reappraisal of all property damaged in the disaster at its market value immediately after the disaster.
Pay also special attention to Sections 23.01 APPRAISALS GENERALLY; Sec. 23.0101. CONSIDERATION OF ALTERNATE APPRAISAL METHODS; and Sec. 23.001 COST METHOD OF APPRAISAL.
HCAD’s position is to take the property value as of January 1, 2017 less the costs to repair. They are not using a recognized method to value flooded properties.
Tax Code Sec. 23.001 COST METHOD OF APPRAISAL,  requires the appraisal district (CAD) shall(emphasis added) make any appropriate adjustment for physical, functional, or economic obsolescence. Economic obsolescence occurs when the value of a property decreases due to external factors in the neighborhood or immediate area.
Wouldn’t you consider the flooding of thousands of homes and parts of town to be economic obsolescence?
The comparable sales of flooded properties in those areas certainly support economic obsolescence, yet HCAD is absolutely ignoring that factor.
Comment below and let us know what you think. Are you as outraged as we are?
Labels:

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Cleburne Property Tax Relief Specialists | O’Connor

  Rising property taxes in Cleburne can put a significant financial strain on homeowners, but O’Connor & Associates provides an effective and proven solution. As the nation’s largest property tax consulting firm, O’Connor leverages decades of experience and deep market knowledge to help property owners secure meaningful tax reductions. Their experts carefully analyze appraisal data, identify errors or overvaluations, and file strong protests on your behalf, ensuring that you never pay more than your fair share. What makes their service even more valuable is the risk-free structure—you pay nothing unless your property taxes are successfully reduced. This client-focused approach has helped thousands of Texans save millions of dollars, and Cleburne homeowners can now take advantage of the same expertise. With a streamlined enrollment process and a history of proven results, O’Connor is the trusted partner for lowering property tax bills in Cleburne.Take the first step toward lower...
Post a Comment
Read more

Cook County Residential Property Tax Reduction Made Simple

  Managing Cook County Illinois real estate taxes can be overwhelming, especially with rising assessments that often feel inaccurate or unfair. Fortunately, O’Connor offers a specialized service to help homeowners file a Cook County property tax appeal with confidence. Their proven strategy combines in-depth market analysis, property valuation reviews, and knowledge of local tax laws to identify opportunities for meaningful savings. Even if you have never filed before, O’Connor makes the process straightforward—handling research, paperwork, and negotiations on your behalf. This not only saves you time but also maximizes your chance of success. Whether your concern is affordability, fairness, or simply reducing unnecessary expenses, initiating a Cook County property tax protest with O’Connor ensures you have experts in your corner fighting for the lowest lawful tax burden.Take the first step toward lowering your property taxes today—visit https://www.poconnor.com/illinois/cook-count...
Post a Comment
Read more

Hays County Property Tax Reduction Experts | O’Connor

  Property taxes in Hays County continue to rise, placing a heavy financial strain on homeowners and businesses alike. O’Connor & Associates offers a proven solution through their comprehensive Property Tax Protection Program™, designed to maximize savings while minimizing hassle. Their experienced team carefully reviews property assessments, identifies errors, and aggressively pursues appeals to ensure fair and accurate taxation. With decades of expertise and the nation’s largest property tax consulting firm behind them, clients benefit from unmatched resources and success rates. Best of all, their risk-free model means you pay nothing unless they win a reduction, making it a safe and effective way to secure real savings. Whether you own a single-family home, commercial property, or investment real estate, O’Connor provides the knowledge and advocacy needed to protect your bottom line in Hays County.Take control of your property taxes today: https://www.poconnor.com/hays-count...
Post a Comment
Read more