  Billybbrew Member Username: Billybbrew Post Number: 211 Registered: 07-2005 Posted From: 64.12.116.204 |
As of Sept. 5, the Shitty of Detroit is going to start charging a $2.00 "convenience" fee each time you use the City's Tax and Property Databse online. Residents will be able to access (for free) any properties that are registered in their name. Is it just me or shouldn't residents have access to ALL data on the site, since our exorbatant taxes are paying to maintain the site???? This is just bullshit. This information is public information. I realize that it is not a prerequisite that we are able to access it online, but it galls me that we have to pay MORE to look up information we ALREADY paid for on a website we PAID for with our taxes. Go figure....One more nail in the coffin....I sometimes wonder at what point I lost my mind buying a house in the city...I guess my heart overruled my brain.... | ||
Firefly Member Username: Firefly Post Number: 70 Registered: 06-2006 Posted From: 198.30.81.2 |
"...the Shitty of Detroit..." LOL! | ||
Janesback Member Username: Janesback Post Number: 56 Registered: 08-2006 Posted From: 69.153.7.127 |
They may want to discourage you from using the online tax information because it makes a great source for "comps", i.e, comparisons. I used houses that are 3 blocks from mine when I had to go to the tax appraisal office to protest the increase in valuation of my home Actually, the Appraisal encourages you to use their site for comps, it gives you some support in pleading your case. Sorry to hear this, its really eye opening for me, a potential citizen. Thanks , Jane | ||
Motorcitymayor2026 Member Username: Motorcitymayor2026 Post Number: 1236 Registered: 10-2005 Posted From: 35.11.212.197 |
Just go to city hall and its free... | ||
Mbr Member Username: Mbr Post Number: 88 Registered: 03-2005 Posted From: 69.246.29.252 |
This is a joke. The information is already out there. All this does is discourage people from trying to figure out who owns vacant parcels or run down properties, thus making it harder for average citizens to put pressure on them to make changes. I've used it before to figure out who owns certain buildings and contacted them directly to complain about blight or trash, it is very effective. Where at city hall is it free? Won't they charge you for the printout? | ||
Motorcitymayor2026 Member Username: Motorcitymayor2026 Post Number: 1238 Registered: 10-2005 Posted From: 35.11.212.197 |
I dont know if they charge you to print it out, but if they did you could write it down.... The city needs $$$ | ||
Motorcitymayor2026 Member Username: Motorcitymayor2026 Post Number: 1249 Registered: 10-2005 Posted From: 35.11.212.197 |
billybbrew, I have been to city hall for records, and it was an unbelievable hassle, with rude, unknowledgable employees, and ended up being a complete waste of my time..... That said, in the city's defense, this internet service is not an essential right to the citizens, and while it is annoying, and can certainly be debated, the city is able to justify this. | ||
Billybbrew Member Username: Billybbrew Post Number: 213 Registered: 07-2005 Posted From: 64.12.116.204 |
Perhaps when MCM2026 becomes the "MCM", he'll make it so Shitty Hall is open 24/7 like the internet, and reduce my millage, take away part of the income tax I pay, as well as the shitty taxes on every utility/phone bill I get in the mail, since I will no longer need the internet site that I'm currently paying for. Of course, maybe if I was a student and didn't have to work 2 jobs to pay so much money to the Shitty, I'd have time to go down to Shitty Hall..... | ||
Lmichigan Member Username: Lmichigan Post Number: 4318 Registered: 10-2003 Posted From: 67.177.81.18 |
They could make a better argument if this would generate them any real money, and if just about every other municipality in the state (and probably the country) didn't have free property look-up program on their assessment website. It really doesn't make much sense, and makes it harder for those increasingly coming to grips with the Information Age looking to move to the city, or buy into the city. The last thing Detroit needs is to make itself less accessible during a time when it needs to be more accessible and user-friendly than ever before in its history. (Message edited by lmichigan on September 02, 2006) | ||
Mrsjdaniels Member Username: Mrsjdaniels Post Number: 208 Registered: 08-2005 Posted From: 141.217.46.39 |
I noticed this too, i was trying to see if my prop sale had goen through. The city will charge you for anything if they could right now...hence the reason they decided to install parking meters that take credit cards. they feellike they'd get their 75 cents upfront then try to spend $30 to get money from a $20 pkg fine | ||
Bratt Member Username: Bratt Post Number: 418 Registered: 01-2004 Posted From: 12.172.207.3 |
I saw this too. How stupid is this? Why would I put $2.00 on a credit card anyway? | ||
Goose Member Username: Goose Post Number: 13 Registered: 02-2005 Posted From: 24.192.188.205 |
as a frequent user of the data this is really gonna put a hitch in my business in the city of detroit, $2 to look up some information that for the most part is not even up to date and is missing most of the vital information???? what a joke, just a small part of why detroit is never going to be what it could, nickel and dime everyone living there to death for services that are sub-par | ||
Titancub Member Username: Titancub Post Number: 10 Registered: 08-2006 Posted From: 69.134.218.45 |
The only mild defense of Detroit is that Oakland County charges up to $7 for info per property! With the lack of economic growth in the area you'd think they'd follow the lead of every other locale across the country and make the info free - you know, maybe encourage development a little rather then nickle and dime user fees. Just overall poor policy. | ||
Dialh4hipster Member Username: Dialh4hipster Post Number: 1779 Registered: 11-2004 Posted From: 68.61.187.234 |
Two fucking dollars people. | ||
Jt1 Member Username: Jt1 Post Number: 7822 Registered: 10-2003 Posted From: 198.208.159.19 |
DialH - You know how it works in Detroit. Everything should be free whether the city is broke as shit or not. People want the budget resolved but want every service free. The illogical thinking of Detroit. | ||
Burnsie Member Username: Burnsie Post Number: 607 Registered: 11-2003 Posted From: 35.12.21.108 |
"Two fucking dollars people." That adds up real fast if you want to do any substantial research. | ||
Dialh4hipster Member Username: Dialh4hipster Post Number: 1780 Registered: 11-2004 Posted From: 68.61.187.234 |
If you are doing "substantial research" for business I guess you need to work that into your business model from now on. If you are doing "substantial research" so you can post on this forum about how you tracked down the derelict owners of downtown properties as a public service for all of us, well, I guess you pay to play now. Either way, it's hard to see this as a substantial burden for most legitimate non-recreational inquiries. | ||
Bvos Member Username: Bvos Post Number: 1937 Registered: 10-2003 Posted From: 134.215.223.211 |
I think the $2.00 fee will hit non-profits and community groups that use the site in conjunction with the Wayne Co. Register of Deeds site to find and go after problem property owners. As far as the business world, it won't affect them much. Legitimate businesses use other sources to get land information. My guess as to why they'll be charging for the service is that the bandwidth used for the site is astronomical. On a regular basis the site is busy due to too many users. The $2.00 fee will limit the site to folks who really have interest in a certain property and eliminate those poking around out of curiosity. | ||
Bratt Member Username: Bratt Post Number: 420 Registered: 01-2004 Posted From: 12.172.207.3 |
Didn't it say that if you are looking up your own property it is free? | ||
Kiplinger Member Username: Kiplinger Post Number: 29 Registered: 06-2006 Posted From: 208.44.60.32 |
Yes, looking up your own property will remain free. I remember about 10 years ago I would have to go down to the City Planning department to get owners information about an address. It cost $2 then also but you had to purchase the information with a money order. No cash, checks, or credit cards excepted. When I asked why I was told that the money always came up short for the number of properties being researched. |
