Over 80,000 London properties may be in the wrong council tax band. With average bills of £1,600/year, you could be owed thousands in refunds.
London's property market is one of the most complex in the UK. When council tax bands were set in 1991, valuers had to assess millions of properties across 33 boroughs in just a few months. Many valuations were done from the street — a quick glance at the property type and a rough estimate of value.
This rushed process led to significant errors, particularly in areas that have since gentrified or changed dramatically. Properties in Hackney, Brixton, Peckham, and Stratford that were valued as modest homes in 1991 may now sit alongside neighbours in completely different bands.
While we can help you check your band and compare with neighbours, formal appeals go through the Valuation Office Agency (VOA). However, here are some key London borough council contacts for billing enquiries:
The strongest appeals in London focus on neighbour comparison evidence. If your Victorian terrace is in Band D but identical properties on your street are in Band C, you have a strong case. Our free checker automatically compares your property against similar homes nearby.
In 2023, London saw one of the highest rates of successful band reductions in England, particularly in rapidly changing areas like Lewisham, Greenwich, and Waltham Forest. Refunds can be backdated to 1993 or when you moved in — for Londoners who've been overpaying for decades, this can mean refunds of £5,000 or more.
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