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Martin Lewis shares how to challenge your Council Tax and cut bills every year
Martin Lewis outlines a two-step process to check if you are in a higher council tax band than neighbours and potentially lower your bill; up to 400,000 people may be overpaying.
- On April 1, 2025 Martin Lewis reiterated his Check and Challenge campaign launched in 2007, warning up to 400,000 people in England and Scotland may be in the wrong council tax band.
- The system relies on 1991 drive‑by valuations, which set council tax bands using homes and land values now out of date, leaving many properties potentially misbanded.
- Step one starts with a neighbour check comparing your band with similar nearby properties using public records, then carry out a valuation check estimating your 1991 value from historic sales on Zoopla, Rightmove and the Nationwide calculator.
- An appeal triggers reassessment and possible change, but appeal outcomes may move a band up or down and challenging neighbours in similar properties can raise their bills and cause disputes.
- Use the VOA or SAA websites to check your band; the Valuation Office Agency manages England and Wales valuations, while the Scottish Assessors Association lists Scotland bands online.
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27 Articles
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Total News Sources27
Leaning Left1Leaning Right0Center24Last UpdatedBias Distribution96% Center
Bias Distribution
- 96% of the sources are Center
96% Center
C 96%
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