[Bill Douglas]

Here in Wellington NZ I have a small unit in a commercial complex. Man cave and somewhere to put the 911. They upped the property tax (we call it rates) from $1,600 per year to $11, 200 per year saying it was commercial and commercial rates applied. Seriously.

I explained to them I paid $58,000 in sales tax due to the fact it wasn't commercial so I'm sure not paying the $11,200. We had an email war for a month or two then they said as far as they were concerned the discussion is over and it's $11,200 so I asked for the boss of department's name so I can take him to court and the court decide what "Is fair and reasonable" (a legal term here in NZ). They wouldn't tell me his name so I said to the clerk never mind I'll take you to court instead. Then they said OK not commercial but your old category no longer exists (quite untrue) and your new category costs $3,000 and something. I can live with that I suppose.