‘We do more than just look on Funda’

For their work, they do not look on Funda, but on a similar website: iWOZ. This is specially made for municipalities. They use this as a source of information for appraising (i.e., determining the value of) homes. Based on that value, the amount of property tax (OZB) is determined.

‘I look on iWOZ to see which houses are for sale and what the asking price is. Then I check if that matches the data at the municipality,’ says Van Druningen. ‘Is a house sold? Then we receive information via the Land Registry about the sold house, such as the sale price. That sale price is important for the WOZ value. The sold house forms the basis for the appraisal of other, similar homes in the neighborhood.’

Every neighborhood is different

‘There are over 330,000 homes in Rotterdam, so our team is divided over different neighborhoods,’ explains Van Druningen. ‘Each of us is responsible for about 30,000 homes.’

Thoen works mainly in Zuid. ‘It is important to be well informed about the different neighborhoods and districts. If you know what is going on, foundation problems for example, you can take this into account in the valuation.’

Versatile

Valuing homes is only part of the job, says Thoen. ‘We do more than just look online. Yes, iWOZ is useful for market analysis. But besides that, we do many other things. Like revaluing homes, making inspections inside buildings and handling objections.’

Van Druningen: ‘Every year, objections come in. From residents who think their home is valued too high, or too low after a renovation. If people disagree with the decision on the objection, they can appeal. Then we have to defend it ourselves in court, together with a municipal lawyer.’

‘We increasingly have informal contact with residents about things that are not correct in our system,’ says Thoen. ‘This is mainly to prevent objections afterwards. This way our administration improves and people get a better WOZ value.’

What happens with the money?

The municipality uses the income from the property tax for the city. Think, for example, of education, a community center or a playground. The work of the appraisers is also checked annually by the Valuation Chamber. This is a government organization that supervises municipalities on the implementation of the WOZ law.

Property tax and WOZ

Anyone who owns a home pays property tax (OZB) to the municipality. The OZB is based on the WOZ value of a house. The WOZ (Valuation of Immovable Property) indicates what a property is worth on the market – including commercial properties. That value is based on the price paid for a similar type of home in the same area. With an expensive house, you have a higher WOZ value and therefore pay more OZB. 

Want to know more? Then visit the page WOZ value. Link opens an external page in a new browser tab..

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Together we work towards an even more beautiful Rotterdam. View all vacancies on the website werkenvoorrotterdam.nl. Link opens an external page in a new browser tab.