Property Assessments

Property Assessments are determined by the Municipal Property Assessment Corporation (MPAC).

MPAC performs a province wide valuation of property approximately every four (4) years. The last four (4) year cycle was 2017-2020. Property owners will receive a notice from MPAC stating the assessment value of their property over a period of four (4) years. These amounts are used by the Municipality of Lakeshore to calculate taxes. Due to COVID, the re-assessment cycle is on hold and the assessment values of homes continue to be based on the current market value as of 2016. MPAC has not provided a date for the next re-assessment at this time. 

The notice will provide login information for “About My Property”  which will allow you to view the details of your assessment.

If you have questions or concerns regarding the notice, About My Property or your assessment in general, please contact MPAC.

Helpful Videos

• How MPAC Assesses Property
• The Request for Reconsideration Process
• Understanding Phase In
• How MPAC Assesses Farm Property

Key Concepts - Property 

• Property assessments based on current market values distribute property taxes, they do not determine property taxes. Decisions about how much tax to collect are made by local governments.
   
• Even though the assessed values of home may increase following an assessment update, the overall taxes collected within a municipality does not change. Municipalities are required by regulation to reset their tax rates to offset the average change in property values as a result of reassessment.
   
• A common misconception is that a significant change in a property’s assessed value will result in a proportionately significant change in the owner’s property taxes. The most important factor is not how much the assessed value has changed, but how much the assessed value has changed relative to the average change for the same property type in the municipality.
   
• If the property assessment has gone up more than average, the owner’s property tax bill will be proportionately larger. If the property assessment has gone up less than average, the owner’s property tax bill will be proportionately smaller.

Farm Land Classed as Residential

Residents with Farm land that has been classed as Residential will need to contact Agricorp to apply for the Farm Property Class Tax Rate Program. Once approved, the information will be sent to MPAC for a change in the assessment class. When MPAC has completed the change, the information will be provided to the Municipality for an adjustment to the property tax account.

Assessment Adjustments Applications

Section 357 and 358

Section 357 and 358 Application allows for the reduction, refund or cancellation of the taxes. Applications may be submitted for the following reasons:

• Ceased to be liable to be taxed at rate it was taxed
• Became exempt
• Razed by Fire, Demolition or Otherwise
• Damaged and Substantially unusable
• Sickness or Extreme poverty
• Gross or manifest clerical/factual error
• Repair/Renovations preventing normal use

This must be submitted to the Municipality of Lakeshore by February 28th of the year following the year for which the application is made. Applications are accepted using the following methods:

Mail to: Municipality of Lakeshore C/o Revenue Department

419 Notre Dame Street, Belle River, ON, N0R 1A0

Email to: revenue@lakeshore.ca   

Fax to: 519-728-9530

Once MPAC has completed the re-assessment, the Municipality is provided with the documentation of the changes. As per the Municipal Act, notification is sent to the property owner of the revised assessment and the reduction of the taxes billed will be calculated. This revised assessment and reduction of taxes is subject to Council approval and the owner will have the opportunity to attend the Council meeting to speak to the revision if they so choose. Once approved adjustments will be made the property tax account and the owner will be eligible for a refund or the credit will remain on the account. 

Council Meetings for approval of Section 357 and 358 adjustments will take place in March and September each year.

Vacancy Rebate Program

The Vacancy Rebate Program for Commercial and Industrial properties with vacant units has been eliminated. The Municipality of Lakeshore will no longer accept applications.