How to Fight Your Property Tax Assessment in Winnipeg
/Wondering if you should dispute your property assessment from the City of Winnipeg?
If your assessed value feels too high, you may have the right to challenge it — but you need the right information and evidence on your side.
What the Winnipeg Assessment Notice Means
When the City of Winnipeg releases its property assessments — usually every two years — you’ll receive a notice showing the assessed (market) value of your home. This value is what the City uses to calculate your property taxes. It’s based on market data and valuation models, not your personal sale price.
Just because the assessed value goes up doesn’t always mean your taxes will spike by the same amount — it depends on how your value compares to the average change across the city and the tax rates set in the City’s budget.
When You Can Appeal
You might want to consider an appeal if:
Your assessment is significantly higher than recent sales of comparable homes in your neighbourhood.
You haven’t made major improvements, yet your value increased more than others.
You have evidence (like a professional report or recent appraisal) showing the market value is lower than what the City is asking.
The City gives you a deadline to review your assessment and file an appeal — often within roughly 30 days of when your notice is mailed.
That notice typically includes a QR code or link you can use to book your appeal or discussion appointment directly with the City’s Assessment and Taxation Department.
What Happens After You File an Appeal
Appeals are heard by the Board of Revision, an impartial body that reviews evidence from you and the assessor and decides whether your assessed value should be adjusted.
Important points:
You still have to pay your property taxes on time while the appeal is underway. If successful, you’ll get a refund for any overpaid amount.
If you disagree with the Board of Revision’s decision, there are additional appeal routes — such as appealing to the Manitoba Municipal Board or the Court of King’s Bench — but these are more formal and require additional filings.
Why Not Everyone Should Appeal
Here’s the truth: sometimes the City’s assessment is actually low compared to current market value — especially in hot or fast‑moving markets. In those scenarios, there’s nothing to “fight,” because your home’s assessed value is already fair (or even conservative), which means taxes may be in line or even lower than expected.
Before you spend time, money, and energy on an appeal, you need an accurate valuation report — one that shows what your home is really worth in the current market.
How I Can Help You
If you’ve received your assessment and you’re thinking, “This feels too high,” here’s what you can do next:
✔ Reach out to me for a current market valuation report for your home.
✔ I’ll help you understand whether your assessment really is above market value or if it’s fair (or even low).
✔ If it’s worth appealing, I’ll guide you through what evidence you’ll need and how to approach the appeal process.
👉 Don’t guess — get the facts before you decide to fight the City.
