Written Hearing

Written Hearing: This type of hearing often occurs when the complainant is not able to attend a teleconference hearing, so they submit their evidence as a complete written package. Consideration must be given to explain everything in detail within the evidence package, as the complainant will not be present to explain what the Panel or BC Assessment representative are looking at.

When a complainant requests a written hearing, they are sent, through Canada Post, a notice of hearing that specifies what day their hearing will take place and which Panel will hear it.

Preparing Evidence: prior to the hearing date, the complainant must collect and organize all evidence that supports their complaint. The Burden of Proof lies with the complainant. Evidence can include photos, MLS listings, comparable properties to the complaint property, video showing the issue(s), a map and if the complaint includes damage to the property that needs repairing, then some estimates of the cost for the repairs. For a comprehensive list of how to prepare your evidence package, please click here. Avoid using percentage increases and percentage comparables as evidence, because percentage change is not a foundation for a hearing complaint.

Uploading Evidence: At least 24 hours prior to your hearing day, upload your evidence into the PARP Online Evidence Submission System site.The PARP Online Evidence Submission System or POESS can be found at www.parponlineevidencesubmission.gov.bc.ca.

The PARP Online Evidence Submission System main page requires you to enter your Area number, Jurisdiction number, Roll number and Confidential PIN which are all located on your Assessment Notice in the top right-hand corner.

Please note, your Notice of Hearing will not have your Confidential PIN on it, you need to refer to your Assessment Notice.

When logging in for the first time, the system will request a valid email address. You will not gain access to the evidence site until one is entered. This requirement will happen only for the first log in. The site contains 3 folders titled Complainant Evidence, BCA Evidence and Appeal Letter. Complainants will only be able to upload evidence into the Complainants Evidence folder. It is quite possible there is evidence loaded already into either or both of the other folders. You are free to open and review this evidence prior to and on the hearing date, as the BC Assessment representative may do the same to any evidence the complainant has uploaded.

If you encounter problems with the evidence uploading procedure, there is a link on the main page to a user guide that will help.

Hearing day: on the arranged date, the Panel will read your written complaint and review your evidence package.  Please ensure you are as thorough as you can be in your descriptions, as you will need to ensure the Panel and BC Assessment representative understand what they are reviewing as you will not be there to explain in person. Once the Panel and BC Assessment representative have reviewed your evidence package, the Panel will ask the BC Assessment representative to present their evidence. Once all the evidence has been reviewed the Panel may ask questions of the BC Assessment representative. The Panel will then retire to deliberate (discuss in private) the evidence presented by both parties. Once they have made their decision, the Panel will return and announce the decision. Because the complainant will not be there, the complainant will learn what the decision of the Panel was via Canada Post by April 7 when they receive the Notice of Decision letter.