The Pottawatomie County Appraiser’s office has reported a couple of circumstances lately involving a man who is asking about sales information, asking to take interior inspections of property and asking other information about properties which are located in Pottawatomie County. He claims to be from the appraiser’s office and he tells them he is gathering information for that office. County Appraiser Lois Schlegel has verified it cannot be anyone from her office, and is a reason for concern.
Schlegel stresses her field appraisers who have to verify sale information and ask questions about the interior of a house that has recently sold as required by the Kansas Department of Revenue’s Property Valuation Department will try to ask permission if possible to inspect the property. The office is also required to do a re-inspection of each property located in the county every six years to maintain compliance with the Department of Revenue. But Schlegel says her crew has identification on them at all times and drive a vehicle that clearly identifies Pottawatomie County.
As a reminder for all property owners in Pottawatomie County – Schlegal says to please ask for identification when talking with anyone before you take them on an interior inspection. She adds her field appraisers will only go inside a dwelling or building if asked by the property owner to do so unless it’s under construction at the time they are there. If no one is at home they will not go into any building.
If you don’t feel like the person representing the appraiser’s office actually works for that office you may call the office at 457-3500 anytime during the hours of 8:00 a.m. through 4:30 p.m. and the appraiser’s office can verify where their appraisers are and what their names are.