I own a three level townhouse. I am having a stair lift installed
because I can not use the stairs without pain.

Will the stair lift increase the assessed value of my condo?

thanks

"Jane" wrote in message
ps.com...

I own a three level townhouse. I am having a stair lift installed
because I can not use the stairs without pain.
Will the stair lift increase the assessed value of my condo?

If you do not want to ask the municipal assessment office,
your local newspaper may have a reporter who knows the
rules (through reporting news on the topic, important to
many readers.)

--
Don Phillipson
Carlsbad Springs
(Ottawa, Canada)

"Don Phillipson" wrote in message
...
"Jane" wrote in message
ps.com...

I own a three level townhouse. I am having a stair lift installed
because I can not use the stairs without pain.
Will the stair lift increase the assessed value of my condo?

If you do not want to ask the municipal assessment office,
your local newspaper may have a reporter who knows the
rules (through reporting news on the topic, important to
many readers.)

IANAL, much a Canadian one, but I doubt it. While it is screwed to the wall,
it isn't really part of the permanent structure of the house, like an
elevator or additional bathroom would be. Unless next owner has mobility
problems, they will likely just rip it out, like is commonly done with
wooden porch ramps. And the things are expensive enough, that if you move to
someplace else with stairs, you will likely take it with you.

aem sends....

"Jane" wrote...
I own a three level townhouse. I am having a stair lift installed
because I can not use the stairs without pain.

Will the stair lift increase the assessed value of my condo?

If you need a permit to install it, likely yes. If no permit, the govt will
not know you have it, therefore cannot assess it.

On Jul 2, 1:21 pm, Jane wrote:
I own a three level townhouse. I am having a stair lift installed
because I can not use the stairs without pain.

Will the stair lift increase the assessed value of my condo?

thanks

Sorry, I should have mentioned that I'm not concerned about my
assessment going up for taxes. I know that won't happen because we
are never visited by the town assessor. They simply assess all condos
of this style and size at the same amount.

I want to know if I can deduct the entire cost of the lift as a
medical deduction. According to the IRS I can if it does not increase
the assessed value of my home. I really don't want to pay $300 for an
assessment since that sort of defeats the purpose of the deduction.

While it is custom made for the stairs here, chances are I would sell
it or take it with me since much of it is reusable. For example the
chairs are $600 each. The motor and battery are also standard.

I was told by a property appraiser here in Florida that if I put an in
ground pool, and it cost me $80,000.00 to put it in, it would NOT increase
my property value.
It would take six or seven years for my house value go from say $250,000.00
to $275,000.00.

He said I would NEVER see the $80,000.00 expense reflected in my house
value.

I would call the IRS, and get some dollar info from them. They will tell
you, or tell you the form you would need.

How much are you talking for the three story lift?
Is it outside, bolted on, or inside the dwelling?
Inside the dwelling can get very pricy...


"Jane" wrote in message
oups.com...
On Jul 2, 1:21 pm, Jane wrote:
I own a three level townhouse. I am having a stair lift installed
because I can not use the stairs without pain.

Will the stair lift increase the assessed value of my condo?

thanks

Sorry, I should have mentioned that I'm not concerned about my
assessment going up for taxes. I know that won't happen because we
are never visited by the town assessor. They simply assess all condos
of this style and size at the same amount.

I want to know if I can deduct the entire cost of the lift as a
medical deduction. According to the IRS I can if it does not increase
the assessed value of my home. I really don't want to pay $300 for an
assessment since that sort of defeats the purpose of the deduction.

While it is custom made for the stairs here, chances are I would sell
it or take it with me since much of it is reusable. For example the
chairs are $600 each. The motor and battery are also standard.

"Jane" wrote...

Sorry, I should have mentioned that I'm not concerned about my
assessment going up for taxes. I know that won't happen because we
are never visited by the town assessor. They simply assess all condos
of this style and size at the same amount.

I want to know if I can deduct the entire cost of the lift as a
medical deduction. According to the IRS I can if it does not increase
the assessed value of my home.

Then you answered your own question. If the Assessor doesn't re-assess the
property after the installation, the assessed value does not change.
Regardless of market value, there is only 1 assessed value.

On Jul 2, 7:16 pm, "Bill" wrote:
I was told by a property appraiser here in Florida that if I put an in
ground pool, and it cost me $80,000.00 to put it in, it would NOT increase
my property value.
It would take six or seven years for my house value go from say $250,000.00
to $275,000.00.

He said I would NEVER see the $80,000.00 expense reflected in my house
value.

I would call the IRS, and get some dollar info from them. They will tell
you, or tell you the form you would need.

How much are you talking for the three story lift?
Is it outside, bolted on, or inside the dwelling?
Inside the dwelling can get very pricy...

"Jane" wrote in message

oups.com...

On Jul 2, 1:21 pm, Jane wrote:
I own a three level townhouse. I am having a stair lift installed
because I can not use the stairs without pain.

Will the stair lift increase the assessed value of my condo?

thanks

Sorry, I should have mentioned that I'm not concerned about my
assessment going up for taxes. I know that won't happen because we
are never visited by the town assessor. They simply assess all condos
of this style and size at the same amount.

I want to know if I can deduct the entire cost of the lift as a
medical deduction. According to the IRS I can if it does not increase
the assessed value of my home. I really don't want to pay $300 for an
assessment since that sort of defeats the purpose of the deduction.

While it is custom made for the stairs here, chances are I would sell
it or take it with me since much of it is reusable. For example the
chairs are $600 each. The motor and battery are also standard.

It's a stair lift (a chair), not an elevator. An elevator is
considered an enhancement. This is an eyesore.

Cost is about $17,000