If you feel your home is improperly assessed, you are encouraged to file an appeal with the Cook County Assessor’s Office.

The three main reasons for filing a residential appeal include:

1. Your property was not valued uniformly. Uniformity requires that two or more properties in a neighborhood that are similar in size, type of construction, age and style have similar assessed values. You are welcome to do your own research but are not required to do so. Our analysts will check properties comparable to yours to determine if your assessed value is uniform.
2. Our records inaccurately describe your property. The value of your property is partially dependent on your “property description.” An assessment that contains a major error in the property’s description such as an incorrect property classification or an incorrect land or building measurement may affect property value. Please keep in mind that changing a minor property characteristic may not necessarily change the assessment.
3. Your property is overvalued. If you have evidence that establishes your property’s fair market value is less than the estimate determined by the Assessor’s Office, you are encouraged to submit supporting documentation for this claim. Acceptable documentation include a recent closing statement, sales contract, or appraisal. The value of residential property may also be affected by recent occupancy of a newly constructed home, conditions that have caused the property to become vacant and not habitable, fire damage, demolition, or vacancy due to renovation.

All required residential appeal forms are available through the forms page on this Web site. You may also call one of the Assessor’s Office locations or your local township assessor. When you file an appeal, our analysts will examine the documentation you submit. If they deem that your property is overvalued then they will adjust the assessed value of your property and notify you. If they deem that your property has been correctly valued, you will also receive notification of this decision.