Can an Appraiser view my property without me present?

Yes, any officer authorized by law to assess property for taxation may, when necessary to the proper performance of their duties, enter any dwelling, house, building, or structure and view the same and the property therein. (M.S. 273.20) Any officer authorized by law to assess property for ad valorem tax purposes shall have reasonable access to land and structures as necessary for the proper performance of their duties.

A property owner may refuse to allow an assessor to inspect their property. This refusal by the property owner must be either verbal or expressly stated in a letter to the county assessor. If the assessor is denied access to view a property, the assessor is authorized to estimate the property's estimated market value by making assumptions believed appropriate concerning the property's finish and condition. (M.S. 273.20), however, as stated in the Property Tax Administration Manual: Neither Local Boards of Appeals and Equalization (LBAE) nor County Board of Appeals and Equalization (CBAE) can make changes in favor of a property owner who refuses access to the Assessor.

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1. Why do my property taxes vary each year?
2. Who is my Appraiser?
3. Can an Appraiser view my property without me present?
4. Who does what in property taxes?