Revolut restrictions put £37,000 house deposit out of reach before accounts restored

An Oxfordshire reader told the Guardian that a security review of their wife’s Revolut account also blocked access to £37,000 held in joint savings for a house purchase. In the report published on 4 November 2026, the reader said the couple had given notice on their rental home, direct debits were failing and promised deadlines for restoring access had passed.

The Guardian said the accounts were reinstated after its intervention, nearly three weeks after suspension. Revolut offered the wife £175 as a goodwill gesture. The company apologised for the review’s length and poor communication, saying regulatory constraints prevented it from explaining the restrictions.

The case highlights the impact of account restrictions when savings are needed for a property purchase. The Guardian noted that anti-money-laundering rules allow banks to freeze accounts without advance warning in some circumstances, but said there was no suggestion of suspected wrongdoing here. Customers alleging unfair treatment can approach the Financial Ombudsman Service.