City, appraisal firm say property inspection letters are legitimate, not a scam

As Associated Appraisal Consultants, Inc. begins door-to-door property inspections in Rhinelander, the City of Rhinelander has issued a press release explaining that the state-mandated process is not a scam.

Inspections are underway

Property inspections tied to the city’s revaluation assessment began Aug. 17 and will continue every other week through the end of October, according to a release from the city and AAC. Property owners will receive written notice from AAC before an inspector visits. If no one is home, inspectors will leave a green tag on the front door with instructions for scheduling a follow-up appointment.

Why residents might be suspicious

While door-to-door visits and requests to enter a home are hallmarks of common scams targeting elderly residents, AAC is taking several steps to distinguish its staff from potential scammers:

Written notice is sent to property owners ahead of any interior inspection.

AAC’s logo appears on the company’s white vehicles, staff apparel and name tags.

Inspectors will identify themselves as working on assessments for the City of Rhinelander and will carry written identification.

City Clerk Austyn Zarda is listed as the point of contact for questions about the program.

Residents are not required to let inspectors inside

The release states property owners are not obligated to speak with assessors or allow them onto or into their properties. However, city and AAC officials note that cooperating with the inspection — including allowing an interior look — helps ensure a more accurate assessment, since AAC’s July presentation to the Common Council indicated interior inspections give appraisers a fuller picture of a property’s condition and features than an exterior-only review.

Why the revaluation is happening

The inspections stem from a contract the Common Council approved July 13 with AAC for a state-required revaluation of all city parcels. City officials have said the revaluation is necessary because Rhinelander’s assessed property values have fallen outside the state’s 10% tolerance threshold relative to actual market value — the trigger point at which state law requires municipalities to update assessments to avoid the Wisconsin Department of Revenue stepping in.

The city last conducted a full revaluation in 2011.

The council opted for the more thorough of two inspection options, at a cost of $310,500, which includes interior inspections where property owners allow access, rather than a $264,000 exterior-only option.

What happens next

New assessments will take effect for the 2027 assessment year. Assessment notices will be mailed to all property owners in the summer of 2027, even if a property’s assessment doesn’t change. Property owners will be able to ask questions or appeal a change at Open Book and Board of Review sessions expected to be scheduled for later summer or fall 2027.

More information is available at www.rhinelanderwi.us or www.apraz.com.