A
Q&A
with
Building
Code
Official
Ralph
Costa
in assessment. I cannot accept a copy of the court order or
other paperwork as I must wait for the official documentation.
4. Once I receive the OCO, I will process this in my tax collecting
software system. This will then generate either a refund or an
additional or corrected bill if unpaid.
5. I will mail out the additional or corrected bill to the billing
address that is in my tax collecting system.
6. If you are to receive a refund, I will send the paperwork to
Brentwood Borough and Brentwood School District for them to
process your refund check. I do not write checks for refunds
due to assessment appeals.
7. You may or may not receive your refund checks at the same
time. Both Brentwood Borough and Brentwood School District
have their own process to follow for these refunds.
8. This process can take up to 20 weeks to complete after your
hearing so please be patient.
If you have any questions about your real estate taxes you can
go to www.brentwoodtaxcollector.com for the frequently asked
questions or email me at [email protected].
Q: Are property owners responsible for clearing sidewalks after winter storm?
A: Yes. Homeowners are required to remove snow from walkways within four hours of daylight or the cessation
of snowfall, whichever occurs sooner. In commercial districts, sidewalks must be cleared within two hours.
Q: What are the borough’s stipulations on dumpsters?
A: A permit is required for the placement of a dumpster or any similar item on a public street. Although there
is no fee for storing a receptacle in a driveway, no dumpster may be kept on site for more than ten consecutive
days.
Q: I’m looking to sell my home. Am I required to receive any type of permit from the borough?
A: Prior to the date of closing, the seller must hire a registered plumber to complete a dye test. The seller’s
closing company is generally responsible for covering the cost of the three required documents that will be
provided by the borough: an occupancy permit, a dye test certification, and a municipal lien letter. The seller or
real estate agent must also provide access to the structure for the completion of an occupancy inspection.
Q: 2013 was the initial year for rental property inspections. How has the program been going?
A: Through the end of October, I have inspected approximately 300 units. Many of our properties are in
acceptable shape but have needed updates to electrical services, heating equipment, or smoke detectors. The
program is certainly helping to abate common code violations and to make our properties safer for the tenants.
Brentwood-Baldwin-Whitehall | Winter 2013 | icmags.com 37
ews
s a taxpayer you can appeal your assessed valuation, which
is set by Allegheny County, each year. What you need to
know is below: You can find this information online at http://
alleghenycounty.us/opa/appeals.aspx. You must
Use an annual Assessment Appeal Form if you believe the annual
assessed property value to be incorrect. The annual Assessment
Appeal Form is available at these locations:
• On the Property Appeal Forms webpage. See forms at the
above site.
• Third floor of the County Office Building at 542 Forbes Avenue
in downtown Pittsburgh, PA 15219
• Allegheny County Information Center, 10 Courtyard, Allegheny
County Courthouse on 436 Grant Street in downtown
Pittsburgh, PA 15219
• All Allegheny County-sponsored libraries - Allegheny County
Public Library Locations
• All County-operated senior centers
• Your local municipal office
• Over the phone for single or multiple appeal forms - by calling
the Property Assessments Public Information Line at
412.350.4600.
Once you have filed your appeal go to http://alleghenycounty.us/
opa/appeals.aspx and go half way down the page to see Tips for
Assessment appeal hearings and what to expect.
Once the appeal hearing is over and the board comes to their
decision, the taxpayer will be notified by mail.
What to expect once you are notified.
1. The county will update the Real Estate Tax Website with either
the increase or decrease in the assessment.
2. You will then receive a refund, an additional bill or a corrected
bill if unpaid from the county.
3. The county will then send out an official change order (OCO)
for the local (Fay K. Boland) tax collector to process. This is the
official document I need to process the increase or decrease
B R IEFLY B R ENT WOOD B OR OU GH N