City interior inspection for tax assessment - should I let him in?

[Uwe K.]

Actually not sure if I am in the best category here:

Got a letter from the city yesterday about one of my duplexes. They offer me the opportunity (I feel so special) to make an appointment for interior inspection for assessment purposes, claiming, of course, if gives a fairer assessment than if he would judge only by the outside.

My properties got re-assessed multiple times over the years, and so far I only got the re-assessment notice. Bam, take it or leave it. Never this "one-time opportunity to call within 10 days".

Wondering now if I should let him on or ignore him. Would it help or hurt to keep the assessment and thus the property taxes down?

[Rob K.]

I don't trust the government and prefer to keep them off my property whenever possible. If this is not mandatory, I would not let them in. My fear is that they would find a way to raise your taxes by claiming there are improvements that they didn't know about or possibly go on a fishing expedition looking for any work that was done with the required permit.

I also doubt that they would lower your taxes. Tax assessors are in the business of collecting revenue to line their pockets. Most municipalities are having money problems and the workers know that more revenue means job security.