And if there is a disparity it's because of special property tax breaks for the elderly or veteran's or the disabled.
I don’t know about New York City but in various municipalities there are all sorts of exceptions...some rental properties are zoned “commercial” while others are zoned “residential,” and consequently taxed at different rates.
I'm a renter in an apartment complex of many buildings. Every year, in addition to my rent, one month a year I am required to pay a prorated share of the property tax due on the property.
In my case it's typically around $40 a year. It's standard in a Massachusetts rental agreement.