I have received multiple emails asking the same kinds of questions about the increases in Lyme property tax assessments. Here's the information I send back…

That's a startling increase, and you're right to question it. Here are some things to look into:

• The town-wide increase: As Dina Cutting mentioned, assessments across Lyme went up 73% on average. Yours went up far more, but that explains part of it.
• Your tax bill won't rise by the same percentage. Because values went up everywhere, the tax rate will drop. What matters is how much your assessment rose compared to the town average.
• Check your tax card for errors. You can read it at https://data.avitarassociates.com/default.ASPX, log in with username townoflyme password lymetwn. If some of the data is incorrect, Avitar should correct it and issue a revised value.
• Check the "Notes" field too. It contains a lot of detail about your property. Make sure it's accurate, or ask the Assessor what it means. My Explainer page can help decode it: https://richb-lyme.com/lyme-property-tax-card-explainer/
• Compare with your neighbors. You're right to do this. If similar properties are rated differently, tell the Avitar assessor.
• "Views" do count. When I looked at the 2021 appraisal criteria, "view" was one of the factors they graded for computing a property's value.
• Compare with last year's card. The old Vision system records are here: https://gis.vgsi.com/lymeNH/Search.aspx. Be aware that the Assessor may say you were under-assessed last time.
• Read Avitar's FAQ. It answers many of your questions: https://avitarassociates.com/Assessing/Taxpayer-FAQs

Most important: book a meeting with the Avitar assessor to go over what you've found. You can schedule one here: https://app.acuityscheduling.com/schedule/f4097f36/appointment/98864906/calendar/14617490?calendarIds=14617490

You can collect information ahead of your appointment and send it to the assessor at:  assessinginfo@avitarassociates.com

Although I can't give advice about your specific case, I'm happy to help you understand the process. Let me know if you have more questions.

Best regards,
Rich

Notes

• Disclaimer: This is citizen-composed page, not an official document of the Town of Lyme. It is one citizen’s attempt to increase the flow of information to the town. _Any opinions expressed here are solely my own, and not those of any public body, such as the Budget Committee or Trustees of the Trust Funds where I volunteer._
• Please report suggestions or problems to me, Rich Brown richb.lyme@gmail.com
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