Benjamin Historic Certifications helps owners of historic homes receive a freeze on their property tax assessments.
In 1983, the State of Illinois passed a statute enabling homeowners who rehabilitate their landmark property to receive a freeze on their property tax assessment. This is called a "certified rehabilitation."
It is available to properties that are individually listed on the National Register, that are contributing buildings in a National Register Historic District, that are designated local landmarks or that are contributing building in a local landmark district in a community that has a preservation ordinance that has been approved for purposes of taking the assessment freeze. Designated Historic Districts are located in Chicago and in other communities throughout Illinois. A list of Chicago Landmarks, including Historic Districts, has been prepared by the City of Chicago Department of Planning and Development, Landmarks Division. There are many National Register Cook County Historic Districts, Lake County Historic Districts and other National Register Districts throughout the Chicago Metropolitan Area.
See our related links to learn which communities have historic districts.
Who may apply?
How does it work?
What types of properties are eligible for the freeze?
What is required to receive the freeze?
Follow historic guidelines, as described in The Secretary of the Interior's Standards for Rehabilitation.
What does Benjamin Historic Certifications do?
We administer the certification process from beginning to end. We advise homeowners of the likelihood of their rehab qualifying for the program--at no charge. We often discuss the proposed work in the early stages-guiding the homeowner towards making the project qualify. If it qualifies, we gather and take photographs, process the paperwork and coordinate all work with the state officials.
Help with advice on proper preservation techniques to be certain the guidelines are followed.
Provide any other needed assistance.
How do we charge?
Why hire us?
We advise on how mistakes can be avoided to ensure that the freeze isn't lost.
We are experienced and have a long, well-established working relationship with the Illinois Historic Preservation Agency, which administers the tax freeze program.
We can, because of our combined expertise in the history of architecture, write the Landmark nominations that make properties eligible for the assessment freeze.
Homeowners
Homeowners who live in historic houses, 1 to 6 unit dwellings (including duplexes, three-flats, or residences with income-producing coach houses), condominiums or cooperatives are all eligible to apply for the assessment freeze.
Developers
Developers or individuals acting as a developer may rehabilitate a historic home and sell it, with the purchaser receiving the property tax assessment freeze. The developer can also buy a historic building, convert it to condominiums and sell each unit with the freeze.
It freezes a property's assessed valuation for 8 years at the assessment level that it was at the year rehabilitation began. At the end of the eight years, the assessed value increases gradually, over a 4-year period. The freeze offers an 11-year tax benefit.
Spend at least 25% of the Assessor's Fair Market Value on the rehabilitation.
Prepare all the necessary documentation to ensure an owner qualifies for the freeze.
Figure the most economically favorable means to structure the freeze.
Our fee is modest, based on the Assessor's Fair Market Value
We can assure that the process is completed in an easy, efficient manner. We do all the work.
We have worked on hundreds of tax freeze projects, for homes and condominiums, throughout the Chicago metropolitan area. Many of our clients live in the North Shore communities of Evanston, Wilmette, Winnetka, Glencoe, Highland Park, Fort Sheridan, Lake Forest and Lake Bluff. In Chicago, we have worked on projects on the Gold Coast, in Old Town, Mid North, Lincoln Park, Lakeview and others community areas. We have also completed freezes for homeowners in the western suburbs, including many in Oak Park, River Forest, Hinsdale, Naperville and Elmhurst. We are pleased and available to work in and around Chicago.