New program offers eligible homeowners free services to challenge property valuations

The Franklin County Auditor's Office and the Legal Aid Society of Columbus have collaborated to establish the Pro Bono Assistance Program to help low-to-moderate-income homeowners file property valuation complaints.

The program connects local property owners who wish to contest their county-established property value for tax purposes with real estate and legal experts to help them prepare for virtual hearings with the Board of Revision. 

“I’m proud of the work of this office to make the Board of Revision process more accessible to all Franklin County homeowners,” Auditor Michael Stinziano said in a written statement. “I’m hopeful that the pro-bono program helps both those who need it the most in Franklin County, and also serves as a model for success across Ohio.”

Monica Moran, spokeswoman for the auditor's office, said the agency has partnered with the Legal Aid Society to host online informational clinics starting Feb. 22. Property owners can join these virtual sessions on an online Zoom account or by phone. 

The clinic is available to those at or below 400% of the federal poverty level. Those at 200% or below could be represented at no charge through the Legal Aid Society. The auditor's office will also assist those between 200-400% with referrals to local attorneys that may charge a sliding scale amount for their representation unless they represent themselves.

During the two-hour clinics, volunteer attorneys and real estate professionals will inform property owners about their home’s appraised value set by the auditor, whether they should contest the value and what value they should suggest.  

Not only will these services offer free support and guidance to local homeowners, but Moran said they also lighten the burden many residents face when filing complaints and going before the Board of Revision to increase or decrease their property value. 

"It's not our job just to raise your values; our job is to assess them and to help you understand the value," Moran said. "And we believe this is a new and better way to help homeowners know the value of their property."

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Homeowners and volunteers can sign-up for one of the Zoom Clinics or Phonebanks listed below:

Zoom Clinics: 

  • Feb. 22, 3-5 p.m.

  • Feb. 25, noon-2 p.m.

  • March 2, 6-8 p.m.

  • March 6, 10 a.m. - noon

  • March 10, 5-7 p.m.

  • March 14th, 1-3 p.m.

Phonebanks:

  • March 3, 3-5 p.m.

  • March 8, noon - 2 p.m.

  • March 11, 6-8 p.m.

  • March 13, 10 a.m. - noon

Moran said the program is currently set up for 300 homeowners, but the auditor's office will draw in additional volunteers to meet the demand if the number of participants increases. 

With the success of the program, Moran said the auditor's office is confident these services will serve as a model for other neighboring counties throughout the state.

"Our hope is this is something that could expand across the state of Ohio, so we're really excited to be the ones who lead this endeavor," Moran said. 

Residents can complete the online registration form at https://forms.gle/b4ksLudwiHLfJ9tr8 or call 614-525-HOME. And potential volunteers can register at https://forms.gle/amUTabzTyeRicBkM7 or call 614-525-HOME.

For questions or concerns, contact Policy Analyst Nate Sikora at npsikora@franklincountyohio.gov or 614-653-1375

– The Columbus Dispatch