2017-Jan-10
MPAC Assessments of Small (Unbuildable) Islands
When the latest round of MPAC assessments went out in the mail our phone started to ring. Owners of small unbuildable islands were seeing large increases in their property assessments. We contacted MPAC and received the following response;
A full review of all Single Owner Islands less than 2 Acres in Muskoka/Parry Sound was undertaken for the 2016 Assessment Update. MPAC had identified some historic inconsistent treatment which created inequity in the valuations.
Some of these islands had numerous variables attached to mitigate the values such as:
- Poor Lot or Fair Lot
- Non-Conforming
- Unbuildable
There was also the issue of varying Market Model Adjustments (MMA’s). These MMA’s ranged from -10% to -90%. Current Value Assessments range from $700 to over $500,000.
For the 2016 Assessment Update MPAC applied the following variables consistently to all single owner islands less than 2 Acres:
- Waterfront Code A – Lake
- Waterfront Code W – Single Owner Island
- On Site Code 10 – Unbuildable Lot
- Apply a -90% MMA to islands .01 to .99 acres.
- Apply a -50% MMA to islands 1.00 to 1.99 acres
One grey area is inconsistency between municipalities regarding the building allowances, variances and zoning that on these small parcels. It’s not black and white as far as restrictions and grandfathering. Many of these properties are also exempt as they are owned by the municipality, MNR or Trust Associations.
As of Dec 22nd MPAC has received 37 Request for Reconsiderations on these small islands. We are willing to work with owners on any issues, or unique attributes to their property, please direct any enquiries to:
MPAC
Customer Contact Centre
1 866 296-MPAC (6722)
TTY 1 877 889-MPAC (6722)
If you feel that your property has been unfairly assessed you can ask for a Request for Reconsideration. Instructions on how to do this are detailed on the MPAC web site,
https://www.aboutmyproperty.ca/
