Attic space as qualified Living Area?

[Perplexed]

I have a walk in attic storage area my county appraiser insists qualifies as Living Area and has now added the square footage to my Living Area to be taxed. attic is unfinished except for a single light bulb in the center of the room and a plywood subfloor. No insulation, no drywall, no heat/AC.
Are there any instances where this should be considered additional living area or should I register my appeal today?
Any information is very much appreciated as I am Perplexed.

 

[sail143]

Unfinished and unheated - it should not be in your living area. Take pictures and go to the Assessor's Office on Monday morning.

 

[Terrel L. Shields]

Attic is attic and should not be included in the GLA. I don't even include it if it is finished and does not have read access by stairs or door and has a minimum 7' ceiling, slanting walls... 4' or more.

 

[dobie]

Based on the conditions you describe I would not regard it as living space (potential living space - perhaps). Sounds like a reach by the county.

 

[VolcanoLvr]

Put the following statement in your reports (and if you have outbuildings on the property you measure, include those):

The appraiser measured the subject dwelling to derive the subject's Gross Living Area measurement used in various places within this report. Appraiser's measurement may vary from that found in other sources, and is deemed more reliable for this report. The local MLS and county records were researched for data used within this report.

Expand your comments as necessary to describe what exists.

You must learn to stand on your own observations and work product. Do not let U/W's (or other sources) sway you to change something.

County Assessors often include areas under the roof for taxation purposes which may or may not be living spaces. Assessors are often poorly trained in how to measure and what constitutes living space as we know it.

 

[Perplexed]

reply

Based on the conditions you describe I would not regard it as living space (potential living space - perhaps). Sounds like a reach by the county.

Thanks Dobie. Does 'potential living space' ever qualify as GLA? Current attic space remains stick framed and would require significant investment to insulate, finish, add electric, heat/AC, flooring, etc. It does have a walk in door from the stair landing that leads to a second floor bedroom which is finished and included in the GLA.

 

[Lee Lansford]

I have a walk in attic storage area my county appraiser insists qualifies as Living Area and has now added the square footage to my Living Area to be taxed. attic is unfinished except for a single light bulb in the center of the room and a plywood subfloor. No insulation, no drywall, no heat/AC.
Are there any instances where this should be considered additional living area or should I register my appeal today?
Any information is very much appreciated as I am Perplexed.

Step #1: Learn the definition of "Living Area" used by the "county appraiser".

Step #2: Armed with this information, you will have what you need to move ahead.

 

[Webbed Feet]

I have a walk in attic storage area my county appraiser insists qualifies as Living Area and has now added the square footage to my Living Area to be taxed. attic is unfinished except for a single light bulb in the center of the room and a plywood subfloor. No insulation, no drywall, no heat/AC.
Are there any instances where this should be considered additional living area or should I register my appeal today?
Any information is very much appreciated as I am Perplexed.

Hi,

I am not informed as to the situation regarding "appeal" deadline times you may be facing. That said, I'd start by taking photos of the house and the area the county appraiser has added to the tax rolls. Then, I would call the tax department and ask for that appraiser's supervisor, then arrange to meet with them for an explanation with the supervisor present.

Webbed.

 

[Perplexed]

I have a walk in attic storage area my county appraiser insists qualifies as Living Area and has now added the square footage to my Living Area to be taxed. attic is unfinished except for a single light bulb in the center of the room and a plywood subfloor. No insulation, no drywall, no heat/AC.
Are there any instances where this should be considered additional living area or should I register my appeal today?
Any information is very much appreciated as I am Perplexed.

The assessor states since there is walk in access he is treating the space as Storage Space as it is useable space and will be assessed at roughed in value. He states this is a standard approach for storage space with walk in access. Does roughed in value make sense in this situation?

 

[Lee Lansford]

The assessor states since there is walk in access he is treating the space as Storage Space as it is useable space and will be assessed at roughed in value. He states this is a standard approach for storage space with walk in access. Does roughed in value make sense in this situation?

It would seem that your interest should be in whether or not the assessor is approaching your situation consistent with the manner used in assessing other properties under the assessor's jurisdiction.

Anything else that you will get here isn't going to be of use to you.