What Is an Informal Hearing?
An informal hearing is a meeting between you and an HCAD appraiser. It is not a courtroom and there is no judge. Think of it as a negotiation. The appraiser has reviewed your property details, and you bring your evidence showing that the assessed value is too high. Together, you try to agree on a fair value.
Informal hearings can take place in person at the HCAD office (13013 Northwest Freeway, Houston, TX 77040) or by telephone. When you receive your hearing notice, it will tell you the date, time, and whether it is in person or by phone. If you need to change the format or reschedule, contact HCAD as soon as possible.
Most informal hearings last about 10 to 20 minutes. You present your evidence, the appraiser responds, and you either reach an agreement or you do not. If you reach an agreement, you sign a settlement form and your protest is resolved. If not, your case moves to a formal ARB hearing.
What to Bring to Your Hearing
Your Hearing Checklist
- Printed copy of your evidence packet — bring at least two copies: one for you and one for the appraiser. The appraiser may not have reviewed the electronic copy you uploaded with iFile.
- Your appraisal notice — showing your current assessed value.
- A pen — you may need to sign a settlement agreement if you reach one.
- Photo ID — the HCAD office may require identification when you check in.
- Any additional evidence — photos of needed repairs, a recent appraisal, or documentation of property issues that reduce value.
If your hearing is by telephone, have your evidence packet open on your computer or printed out in front of you so you can reference specific comparable properties and values during the conversation.
How to Present Your Case
You do not need to be a public speaker or a tax expert. Be polite, be organized, and let your evidence do the talking. Here is a recommended approach:
1. Introduce Yourself and Your Concern
Start with something simple like: "Hello, my name is [your name] and I am protesting the assessed value of my property at [your address]. I believe my home is assessed higher than comparable homes in my neighborhood."
Keep it brief. The appraiser knows why you are there.
2. Present Your Comparable Properties
Hand the appraiser a copy of your evidence packet (or reference it on the phone call) and walk through your comparable properties:
- "My home is assessed at $X per square foot"
- "These 5 comparable homes in my neighborhood are assessed between $Y and $Z per square foot"
- "Based on these comparables, I believe my home should be assessed at approximately $[target value]"
3. Mention Any Property-Specific Issues
If your home has any issues that reduce its value compared to neighbors — foundation problems, an older roof, needed repairs, flooding history, a busy road, power lines nearby — mention these. Show photos if you have them. These factors support a lower valuation even beyond what the comparable properties show.
4. Listen to the Appraiser's Response
The appraiser may agree with some of your points and push back on others. They may have their own comparable properties or data. Listen carefully. This is a conversation, not a confrontation. If the appraiser makes a counter-offer, consider whether it is reasonable before responding.
5. Negotiate or Agree
If the appraiser proposes a value that you are comfortable with, you can accept it right there. If the number is still too high, you can push back with your evidence or ask the appraiser to explain their reasoning. If you cannot agree, you can decline and take your case to the formal ARB hearing.
Tips for Talking to the Appraiser
Do
- ✓ Be polite and respectful — the appraiser is a person doing their job
- ✓ Stick to the facts and your evidence
- ✓ Refer to specific comparable properties by address and value
- ✓ Ask questions if you do not understand something
- ✓ Be willing to compromise — a good result may not be your ideal result
- ✓ Thank the appraiser for their time regardless of the outcome
Do Not
- ✗ Get angry, raise your voice, or make personal attacks
- ✗ Complain about property taxes in general — focus on your specific value
- ✗ Make unsupported claims ("My house is definitely not worth that much")
- ✗ Compare your taxes to other states or cities — it is not relevant
- ✗ Threaten legal action or make demands — keep it professional
- ✗ Feel rushed — take your time and make sure you understand any agreement
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Not bringing a printed copy of your evidence
Even though you uploaded your evidence with iFile, the appraiser at your hearing may not have seen it. Always bring printed copies. This is the single most common mistake homeowners make, and it weakens your case significantly.
Arguing about tax rates instead of assessed value
The appraiser can only change your assessed value, not your tax rate. Comments like "My taxes are too high" or "The tax rate is unfair" will not help your case. Stay focused on the dollar value assigned to your property and why it should be lower.
Accepting the first number without considering it
Some homeowners are so eager to be done that they accept whatever the appraiser offers first. Take a moment to compare the offer to your evidence. If the appraiser offers $305,000 and your evidence supports $280,000, it is perfectly reasonable to say, "I appreciate that, but based on these comparables I was hoping for something closer to $280,000."
Missing your hearing appointment
If you miss your scheduled hearing and do not reschedule, your protest may be dismissed. Put the date and time on your calendar as soon as you receive the notice. If you absolutely cannot attend, contact HCAD to reschedule before the hearing date.
If You Reach an Agreement
If you and the appraiser agree on a value, you will sign a settlement form right there. Read it carefully before signing. Make sure the agreed value matches what you discussed. Once signed, your protest is complete and the new value becomes your official assessed value for the current tax year.
Important: Once you sign the settlement agreement, it is generally final. Make sure you are comfortable with the agreed value before you put your signature on the form.
If You Do Not Reach an Agreement
If the informal hearing does not produce a result you are comfortable with, you have the right to take your case to the Appraisal Review Board (ARB) for a formal hearing. Simply tell the appraiser that you would like to proceed to a formal hearing.
There is no penalty for declining the informal settlement. The next page of this guide covers how to prepare for the formal ARB hearing.