Home Inspections For Westwood Revaluation Starting Soon

Inspectors are set to start visiting Westwood homes as part of a borough-wide property revaluation which will affect property taxes in 2014.

The inspections are expected to start within the next two weeks.

Inspectors will be visiting borough homes between 9:30 a.m. and 5 p.m. They will carry photo I.D. authorized by the Westwood Police Department, according to a letter sent to residents.

The Bergen County Board of Taxation is requiring Westwood to undergo a revaluation this year because a change in area property values in the years since the last revaluation have prompted a large number of tax appeals, officials previously said. 

Borough officials approved a $281,275 contract with Appraisal Systems, Inc. of Glen Rock for the project. The inspections are expected to be finished by October 1.

Any resident who doesn't want to let inspectors into their home will face increases in the assessed value of their property, as the appraisers have to assume it's really nice inside if they can't see it. If an inspector comes when no one is home, they will leave a card to set an appointment for a later date.

Anyone with questions about the revaluations can contact Appraisal Systems at (201) 493-8530. Several meetings will also be held to explain the revaluations to residents.