Door-to-door property inspections now underway in Rhinelander are part of a state-mandated revaluation, not a scam, the city and its appraisal contractor say.
What's happening
Associated Appraisal Consultants, Inc. (AAC) started inspections Aug. 17 and will continue every other week through the end of October, according to a joint press release from the city and AAC. Property owners get written notice before a visit. If no one answers, inspectors leave a green door tag with scheduling instructions.
How to verify an inspector is real
Officials point to several ways to confirm legitimacy:
You don't have to let them in
Property owners aren't required to speak with assessors or let them onto their property. But officials say cooperating — especially allowing an interior look — helps produce a more accurate assessment, since interior visits give appraisers a fuller picture than an exterior-only review.
Why this is happening now
The Common Council approved AAC's contract July 13 for a citywide revaluation, required because Rhinelander's assessed property values have drifted outside the state's 10% tolerance threshold from actual market value. Once a municipality crosses that line, state law requires an update or the Wisconsin Department of Revenue can step in.
The city's last full revaluation was in 2011. The council chose the more thorough $310,500 option, which includes interior inspections when owners allow access, over a $264,000 exterior-only alternative.
A full story on the revaluation will be published in our next edition.
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