Living in a mobile home or condominium in New Hampshire won’t save you money this year.
Residents in Rochester experienced a dramatic spike in their tax property tax bills — with some seeing bills nearly triple following city-wide property value reassessments. What’s caused ire for many locals is that mobile home values shot up by 208%, while condo values rose 94% compared to a year ago. Meanwhile, single-family homes saw values increase by 73%.
One property manager told News 9 the tax bill for the 24-unit Cornerstone Court apartments surged by $33,000 after the complex’s assessed value tripled to $5.1 million. According to local reports, condo and mobile home representatives are worried about how the tax burden may impact residents —which include older adults on fixed-income.
Sign up for Kiplinger’s Free E-Newsletters
Profit and prosper with the best of expert advice on investing, taxes, retirement, personal finance and more - straight to your e-mail.
Profit and prosper with the best of expert advice - straight to your e-mail.
What few can seem to understand is why condos and mobile-homes are taking more of a financial blow. Although the assessed value has increased, the tax in Rochester dropped by $10.89, from $25.74 to $14.85 for each $1,000 of assessed value.
Here’s why residents can expect a larger property tax bill this year, and what they can do about it.
Tax burden shifts to mobile homeowners and condos
According to city officials, there are currently 2,650 mobile homes in Rochester, either on privately owned land or in one of 24 mobile home parks. Overall, the city has about 33,500 residents.
Rochester is located in southeastern New Hampshire, right along the Lakes Region, making it a prime location for seasonal campers as well.
Out of all sectors, mobile home residents were dealt the biggest financial blow from the city’s latest reassessment in home values. Rochester Mayor Paul Callaghan acknowledged mobile homeowners have seen their fair market values “double, and sometimes triple.”
As for reasoning: Callaghan indicated that city-wide property revaluations haven’t been done in five years. The new figures reflect significant shifts in the housing market since the pandemic.
What do taxes look like in Rochester?
The net 2024 revaluation in Rochester is $5.1 billion, that’s up $2.3 billion from the previous year.
Though assessed values were much higher, taxes were $14.85 for each $1,000 of assessed value. According to the Rochester Post, which is linked to the mayor’s office, that represents a 42.3% reduction from the rate of $25.74 two years ago.
Still, why the property tax burden appears to have shifted from single-family homes to condos and mobile properties remains to be determined.
What residents find even more insulting is that despite now facing higher property taxes, mobile home parks and condominiums are not included in the city’s contract with Waste Management.
That means that daily maintenance, trash pick up, or snow plows are also paid by residents via maintenance fees, which can tack on thousands of dollars annually.
Rochester residents can take action now
Rochester locals plan to discuss property tax hike concerns at the next City Council meeting on January 21. However, city officials have pointed to online resources for residents that may want to contest their new tax bill.
According to the Assessor’s Office, you can visit Rochestor’s city website to view the following details regarding your revaluation.
- Information on exemptions and credits for disabled, Veterans, and certain age groups
- A link to GIS online, for property owners to view records
The timeline to contest your 2024 assessment is also limited. You can file for an abatement until March 1. Make sure to gather evidence on recent comparable sales or property conditions to make the case for a lower assessed value.
How else can you lower your property tax bill?
If you’ve exhausted all options and exemptions, another step you can take to reduce your tax bill is to limit major home improvements that may increase the value of your home. Also, remember there are tax breaks available for homeowners and homebuyers that you can take advantage of.
Related Content
-
Stocks Struggle Ahead of Busy Fed Week: Stock Market TodayThe minutes from the July Fed meeting will be released Wednesday, while Chair Powell will deliver a key speech at Jackson Hole on Friday.
-
More Shutdown Struggles Ahead for Divided CongressThe Kiplinger Letter Failure to pass a government funding bill by September 30 would trigger a shutdown of many federal services.
-
How the 2025 Child Tax Credit Rules Impact Single ParentsTax Credits New changes to family tax credits, like the Child Tax Credit, will impact the eligibility of some households.
-
The Fall Garden Tax? What to Plant and How to PrepareTax Tips Fall gardening could increase your taxes this season. Here’s what to know while planting in 2025.
-
Texas Sales Tax-Free Weekend 2025Tax Holiday Here's what you needed to know about the Texas sales tax holiday.
-
Retirees Should Watch These Four Key Tax Changes in 2025Tax Changes This year brings key tax changes that could affect your retirement taxes and income.
-
The Most Tax-Friendly State for Retirement in 2025: Here It IsRetirement Tax How do you retire ‘tax-free’? This state doesn’t tax retirement income, has a low median property tax bill, and even offers savings on gas. Are you ready for a move?
-
Georgia Could Be Latest State to Eliminate Income TaxesState Tax Eliminating the Georgia state income tax: Last-minute summer trend or permanent policy?
-
Biggest Winners and Losers in Trump's New Tax PlanTax Law Trump’s mega tax overhaul, known as the ‘One Big Beautiful Bill,’ has distinct winners and losers. Which group do you fall into?
-
No Capital Gains Tax on Home Sales Coming Soon? What You Need to KnowTax Policy Capital gains taxes are back in the spotlight. This time, the chatter on Capitol Hill has to do with rising home prices.
