Overview
- Lewis estimates up to 400,000 households in England and Scotland are in a higher band than they should be.
- The recommended two-step method starts with comparing your band to similar nearby properties using the VOA (England/Wales) or SAA (Scotland) registers.
- The second step is a 1991 valuation check using historic sale data and MoneySavingExpert’s free calculator to see what band should apply.
- Formal challenges are filed with the VOA or SAA for reassessment that can move bands up or down, so Lewis urges only appealing if both checks support a case.
- Successful reductions lower future bills and can trigger backdated refunds, with reported payouts ranging from thousands to around £12,000, including a viewer who recovered nearly £6,000.