Why this is an active owner task
The Borough says the state-mandated reassessment is for the 2027 tax year and is intended to determine the market value of every taxable property as of October 1, 2026. Interior and exterior inspections are part of the project.
A September 23 Borough update says second letters have recently been mailed to properties whose interior inspection may still be outstanding. That makes this a current records-and-access task, not a future tax-season reminder.
- Valuation date: October 1, 2026
- Project: borough-wide interior and exterior review
- Contracted firm: Professional Property Appraisers (PPA)
- Current trigger: a letter, notice or door card requesting interior access
If a letter arrived: verify status before scheduling
The Borough confirms that PPA is its authorized independent valuation firm and says PPA representatives carry identification. If the interior inspection has already been completed, the September notice says to disregard the additional letter.
If the property has not been inspected, use the contact path in the Borough notice or the card left by the representative. Do not rely on a number copied from an unofficial repost.
- Ask the local manager or current occupant whether an inspection already occurred
- Compare the notice with the current Borough page
- Confirm the representative's identification at the visit
- Call the Stone Harbor Tax Assessor at 609-368-1629 with authenticity or status questions
- Keep the appointment confirmation with the property record
For a rental or second home: control the access handoff
The Borough's initial notice says owners should wait until a PPA representative visits the property before arranging an interior appointment; daytime, evening and Saturday appointments are offered. Coordinate access without giving a broad group an alarm code or assuming a rental agent handled it.
For a condominium, identify whether the representative also needs association-controlled entry or information about common elements.
- Name one person responsible for the appointment
- Confirm unit, building and gate access separately
- Do not schedule through an active guest stay without clear permission and notice
- Record who attended and which areas were viewed
- Reset any temporary access code after the visit
Build a factual property file—not an argument about the tax bill
The immediate goal is an accurate description of the property. Review objective facts such as living area, bedroom and bathroom count, building type, permitted improvements, condition and material damage or unfinished work.
A reassessment changes assessed values across the Borough. The new value alone does not establish the eventual tax change because the tax rate is a separate part of the calculation.
- Keep the current property record card if available
- Collect permits, surveys or closing documents that resolve factual differences
- Save dated photos of significant condition issues or storm damage
- Separate unit facts from condominium common elements
- Keep contractor invoices only where they clarify condition or completed work
When the proposed value arrives: use the informal review window
The Borough says proposed valuation notices are expected in late 2026 or early 2027. Owners will have an opportunity to discuss the proposed value informally with PPA before the project is completed and may submit relevant information for review.
Read the notice for its actual deadline and procedure. This guide is an operating checklist, not tax or legal advice; use a qualified New Jersey property-tax professional if the facts or value remain disputed.
- Compare the proposed record with the property itself
- Organize factual corrections and relevant market evidence
- Attend the stated informal review before assuming a formal appeal is required
- Save the final notice with the inspection and supporting records
- Do not confuse asking-rent comparisons with taxable-market-value evidence
For general planning only. Confirm the current reassessment procedure, deadlines and property record with the Borough, PPA or an appropriately qualified New Jersey property-tax professional.