HMRC targets England’s most expensive homes
Monday 24th August, 2026
HMRC valuation agents may visit some homes in England worth £2 million or more before a new annual property surcharge begins in 2028.
This gives Rightmove a natural chance to explain why a home’s asking price differs from its tax valuation, while helping buyers spot bogus officials.
2 Sources:
Why have we flagged this?
HMRC inspections of £2m-plus homes ahead of a new council tax surcharge could drive property-market coverage, giving Rightmove an opportunity to share trends in high-value listings and buyer interest.
Get reactive idea inspiration
Thinking...
These are starting points for inspiration, not finished ideas.
Expert comment
Explain why asking price is not tax value
Offer a property valuation expert to explain why an advertised price does not automatically determine a home’s taxable value.
Expert comment angle: Put forward a Rightmove valuation spokesperson for consumer finance and property desks covering the new surcharge.
Why: The distinction is important, poorly understood and directly relevant to millions of homeowners worried about the proposal.
Data idea
Map where £2 million homes are concentrated
Show which local authority areas have the highest number of homes currently listed at £2 million or more.
Data to investigate: Analyse your current property listings using asking price and local authority as the only data source.
Why: It gives national and regional journalists a clear picture of where the surcharge will matter most.
Newsjack
Create a guide to spotting fake HMRC inspectors
Publish a simple homeowner guide explaining how to verify an official visit and avoid valuation-related impersonation scams.
Newsjack angle: Create the guide with recognised HMRC verification steps and pitch it to consumer, property and regional news outlets.
Why: The warning about scammers creates an immediate public-service angle that is practical, highly shareable and closely linked to the story.