Council Tax Bands 2026/27: How Much Is Council Tax?

What are council tax bands?

Every home in England is placed in one of eight bands, A to H, by the Valuation Office Agency (VOA). The band is based on what the property would have sold for on 1 April 1991, not what it is worth today. Wales has nine bands (A to I) based on 1 April 2003 values, and Scotland runs its own system.

Band D is the benchmark. Lower bands pay a fixed fraction of it and higher bands pay more, so a Band H home always pays twice the Band D rate and a Band A home pays two-thirds. The England averages above use the official 2026/27 average Band D of £2,392 (including adult social care and parish precepts). Your own council’s figure will be different.

How much has council tax gone up in 2026/27?

• England: average Band D £2,392, up £111 or 4.9%. The average bill per home (all bands) is £1,868, up 5.5%.
• London: average Band D £2,068, up £87 or 4.4%.
• Metropolitan areas: £2,409 (up 5.2%). Shire areas: £2,452 (up 4.6%).
• Lowest and highest: Wandsworth has the lowest Band D in England at £1,028; Dorset has the highest at £2,765.

Councils with social care duties could raise council tax by up to 5% (2% of it for adult social care) without a local referendum. A few councils were allowed to go higher, between 6.75% and 9%.

Council tax in every London borough, 2026/27

The table shows the total Band D bill for each borough, including the Greater London Authority (Mayor) precept, from the official 2026/27 figures. Band A and Band H are worked out with the fixed ratios. Sorted from cheapest to most expensive.

Westminster and Wandsworth stay the cheapest because they raise much of their income from other sources. Outer boroughs such as Kingston upon Thames, Croydon and Harrow are the most expensive. If you are deciding where to rent or buy, council tax can add £1,000 or more a year between neighbouring boroughs, so add it to your budget. Our rent affordability calculator helps you see the full monthly cost.

How much is council tax a month?

Councils normally collect the yearly bill in 10 monthly instalments (April to January), leaving February and March free. You can ask your council to spread it over 12 months instead, which lowers each payment.

How to check your council tax band

1. Use the free GOV.UK service Check your Council Tax band (England and Wales). Search by postcode or address.
2. Compare your band with similar homes on your street. Big differences between identical houses can be a sign of an error.
3. Then check your council’s website for its Band D rate and the charge for your band.

How to challenge your council tax band

Challenging your band with the VOA is free. You can do it through the same GOV.UK service, giving evidence such as the bands of similar nearby homes or what similar homes sold for around 1991. Keep paying your current bill while the challenge is considered. Be aware that a review can confirm, lower or, in some cases, raise a band, so check the evidence before you apply. Avoid paid “band reduction” companies: the process costs nothing.

Council tax discounts and exemptions

• Single person discount: 25% off if you are the only adult (18 or over) living in the home.
• Students: homes where everyone is a full-time student are usually exempt.
• Council Tax Reduction: help for people on a low income or benefits, run by each council.
• Disability reduction: a home adapted for a disabled person may be charged one band lower.
• Empty and second homes: many councils now charge a premium on long-term empty homes and second homes. Check your council’s rules before buying a second property.

Who pays council tax: tenant or landlord?

In most private rentals the tenant pays council tax directly to the council. The landlord pays in a house in multiple occupation (HMO), and when the property is empty between tenancies. Always check whether a rent is quoted “bills included”. When you move, tell both your old and new councils; our moving house checklist lists everyone else to tell.

Frequently asked questions