Property Assessors Offices - Massachusetts Laws and Regulations

Learn about the laws and regulations governing Massachusetts assessors offices

Massachusetts property assessors offices laws and regulations control the methods that property assessors use to estimate the value of real property. Massachusetts property appraisers usually perform assessments against a given standard, such as fair market value, distressed sale value or foreclosure value. The Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice (USPAP) provides quality control standards for the appraisal of real property in the United States. The USPAP does not actually define standards of value for property assessments, but does provide guidance on how they should be defined.

There are many different sources of information on the laws regarding Massachusetts home values. These sources include the three following categories:

1. The Massachusetts state government. These sources provide the state laws and other official information on Massachusetts property values.
2. County and municipal governments in Massachusetts. These sources provide the rules and procedures for a specific property assessors office in Massachusetts.
3. Law firms in Massachusetts that specialize in property law. Many of these firms provide general information on the property tax laws in Massachusetts.
   

Examine the laws that control assessors of property assessment in Massachusetts

The state government of Massachusetts will have specific laws for property tax assessors. Private organizations also provide summaries and general information on property tax assessor laws in Massachusetts.

Study the procedures for conducting Massachusetts property assessments in a particular jurisdiction

Local governments have specific procedures for property assessments and also may offer a Massachusetts property tax search. A complete list of Massachusetts property tax records may also be available.
Town of Andover provides regulations for the property assessment process in that city. The Town of Barnstable provides the duties of the property assessor as specified under Massachusetts law.

Review laws on MA assessors from law firms in Massachusetts

Massachusetts lawyers who specialize in property law frequently offer summaries on the property taxes that are assessed in Massachusetts. They also may write articles on specific issues regarding property taxes in Massachusetts.
Law Offices of Saliba & Saliba provides specific legal information on property assessment law in Massachusetts. Ridgefield Valuation specializes in Massachusetts property tax law and answers specific questions on property assessments.

• The laws on Massachusetts property assessment are generally guided by the Financial Institutions Reform and Recovery and Enforcement Act (FIRREA) of 1989. This federal legislation requires all states to have a system to certify and license real estate appraisers. Prior to the passage of the FIRREA, there were no national standards for ensuring the quality of real estate appraisers in the United States.

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