How do municipalities value properties?
Municipalities assess the value of immovable property by carrying out a valuation. They base the calculation on the amount the property would have sold for on the reference date (1 January of the previous year).
WOZ value survey
Valuers take into account details about the ground and the building and other information. They visit one or more similar buildings that were sold around the reference date or selected at random.
There is no need for valuers to visit every building. By using computer models to make comparisons, the municipality determines the value of other buildings. Location and surface area are factored in. The municipality does not take factors like mortgages or ground lease into account.
For business premises the municipality uses different valuation methods, based on for example rental value or reinstatement value.
Requesting a valuation report
A valuation report explains how the municipality determined the WOZ value. You can request a valuation report from your municipality. Contact your municipality to find out how. Municipalities often attach the valuation report to the WOZ decision.
WOZ decision
The WOZ decision gives the value of your immovable property (the WOZ value). If you were the owner or tenant of any immovable property on 1 January of a given year, you will receive a WOZ decision. Municipalities determine the WOZ value every year, so the value given in the decision is valid for one year.
If you became the owner or tenant of any immovable property after 1 January of a given year, you will not automatically be sent the WOZ decision. You can request it from your municipality.
More information about the WOZ decision
To find out more about your WOZ decision, read the leaflet you received with the decision. You can also contact your municipality. The contact details are included in the leaflet.