RIVER VALE, N.J. — Property owners can expect visits from inspectors in the coming months as the township begins a reassessment of all properties for the 2027 tax year.
In a letter to property owners dated May 20, Township Tax Assessor Joanne Allgor said the reassessment is being conducted at the direction of the Bergen County Board of Taxation and the New Jersey Division of Taxation to ensure “uniform and equitable assessments.”
The township has retained Glen Rock-based Appraisal Systems Inc. to perform the reassessment.
Inspectors will visit all properties to measure and photograph building exteriors and inspect interiors. According to the notice, inspectors will generally visit between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m.
If no one is home during the initial visit, inspectors will complete the exterior inspection and leave a notice with instructions for scheduling an interior inspection. Property owners may also request a contactless interior inspection by video conference.
Officials emphasized that Appraisal Systems representatives will carry photo identification and that their names will be registered with the River Vale Police Department and the Township Clerk’s Office. Residents are advised not to admit anyone into their homes without proper identification.
The township is also asking owners whose properties have unique characteristics that could affect market value to submit supporting documentation to Appraisal Systems for consideration.
According to the notice, all properties will be valued based on their estimated market value as of Oct. 1, 2026, the statutory valuation date under New Jersey law. Property owners will receive written notice of their proposed assessments and will have an opportunity to question or contest those values before they become final.
In general, a reassessment does not by itself increase the total amount of property taxes collected. Rather, it updates property values so the tax burden can be redistributed based on current market conditions and each property’s share of the overall tax base.
The township’s revaluation page lists the project status as of June 18 and includes introductory materials, inspector identification information and inspector location assignments. The listed inspectors are Justin Brennan, Inspector 83, and Matthew Hoffman, Inspector 467.
Documentation about unique property conditions may be sent to Appraisal Systems Inc., 139 Harristown Road, Suite 103, Glen Rock, NJ 07452, or emailed to rivervale@asinj.com. Questions about the inspection or valuation procedure should be directed to Appraisal Systems at (201) 493-8530.