Assessor Addresses Property Tax Relief with Rolling Hills Estates Property Owners
Prang Explains Process during Meeting with Homeowners
LOS ANGELES, CA (July 12, 2023) – Los Angeles County Assessor Jeff Prang this week met with property owners impacted by the Rolling Hills Estates landslide where at least a dozen homes have been red tagged as uninhabitable resulting in over a dozen families being displaced and the potential for more damage in the coming days.
“My entire Office extends our sincerest regard for this unforeseen occurrence in Rolling Hills Estates and we are ready to offer assistance,” Assessor Prang said. “It’s understandable that property owners affected by this landslide would not be thinking about their property taxes at this time, but I wanted to remind them there is property tax relief available.”
Assessor Prang, along with subject-matter experts from his office, met with property owners Monday afternoon in Rolling Hills Estates to explain the availability of tax relief. Assessor Prang explained that for those homeowners who have suffered damage or destruction from this landslide, or any other natural disaster, for that matter, such as earthquakes, floods or fires, they can apply to have the assessed value of their property – the value upon which their property taxes are based – reduced to reflect the damage. This property tax relief program is called the Misfortune & Calamity (M&C) program.
By filing a claim for M&C relief within one year of the incident, properties that have sustained a minimum of $10,000 in damages may be eligible for a refund of taxes already paid as well as lower annual tax bills until the property is repaired or rebuilt. Assessor Prang’s office is working proactively to identify the properties affected and move the process forward.
“I just felt it important to not only visit the site in person but to let them know there is property tax relief and it can be useful at a time like this,” Assessor Prang said. “My staff is ready to guide them through the claim process. We want to be able to deliver some good news, if at all possible, sooner rather than later.”
Just as one example, these types of reassessments led to more than $3 million in property tax relief a few years back during a significant event known as the Woolsey Fire. This relief was granted in the form of refunds and adjustments to the 2018/2019 tax bills.
Claim forms for Misfortune & Calamity relief can be accessed online at Assessor – Disaster Relief (lacounty.gov) or by calling (213) 974-8658.