Mass Appraisal

Testing for Accuracy and Uniformity

We rigorously test the accuracy and uniformity of assessments every year in compliance with the Nova Scotia Assessment Act and standards set by the International Association of Assessing Officers (IAAO).

 

Assessment Accuracy

We measure the accuracy of assessments by comparing the assessed value of a sold property to its sale price using the Assessment to Sale Ratio (ASR) calculation.

ASR = Assessed Value / Sale Price

We sort all the ASRs in each municipality from lowest to highest and select the median (middle) value. The Median ASR is used to report the General Level of Assessment (GLA) and shows the accuracy of assessments – how close they are to the actual market value, as demonstrated by sale price.

 

 

Assessment Uniformity

We measure the uniformity of assessments using the Coefficient of Dispersion (COD) calculation. Uniformity reflects the consistency and fairness of assessments within a municipality.

The COD measures how the Assessment to Sale Ratios (ASR's) within a municipality are distributed around the Median ASR or General Level of Assessment (GLA). A lower COD indicates more uniformity or fairness, and a higher COD indicates less uniformity.