Londoners are underpaying billions of pounds a year in property tax because council tax remains based on 1991 property valuations, despite house prices rising sharply since then, according to the Resolution Foundation.
The think tank's analysis found London households paid £3.1bn less in council tax and stamp duty in 2024-25 than they would have if taxes reflected current home values, with the shortfall effectively subsidised by households elsewhere in England.
The North East is worst affected, with 85% of households on track to overpay relative to their property's value by 2030-31.
The report, Home Economics, calls for a move to a proportional property tax system, with council tax reformed and stamp duty on primary residences abolished.
The think tank urges the Chancellor to use next month's Budget to set out a roadmap for reform, starting with an up-to-date database of property valuations.
