Money-saving guru Martin Lewis has helped Brits reclaim staggering sums through a little-known council tax loophole - with some households getting over £1,000 back.
The Council Tax Windfall You Might Be Missing
The founder of MoneySavingExpert.com revealed that thousands have successfully challenged their council tax banding after his team discovered properties were often placed in the wrong category following the 1991 revaluation.
"This isn't new advice," Lewis explained, "but every year new people discover they've been overpaying for decades."
How The Refund System Works
The process involves:
- Checking your council tax band against neighbours in similar properties
- Researching what your home was worth in 1991
- Submitting a challenge to the Valuation Office Agency if discrepancies appear
Successful claims can result in:
- Backdated refunds covering all years of overpayment
- Reduced future council tax bills
- No risk of your band being increased (only decreased)
Real-Life Success Stories
One MSE forum user reported: "I checked after Martin's advice and got £1,800 back! My band was wrong for 15 years." Another received £3,500 after discovering their semi-detached was banded higher than identical neighbouring homes.
The MoneySavingExpert team estimate around 400,000 UK properties might be in the wrong band, with potential refunds averaging £1,000-£2,000 per household.
