Tax

Average Council Tax by Band UK 2026/27 — Rates Across England, Scotland & Wales

How much council tax costs in every band across the UK in 2026/27. Average rates by region, how bands are calculated, discounts, exemptions, and how to challenge your band.

By PocketWise · · 6 min read

Tax information is based on HMRC rules for the 2026/27 tax year. Tax rules can change — always verify current rates at GOV.UK. This is not tax advice. Consider consulting a qualified tax adviser for your personal situation.

Council tax is a mandatory charge for all UK households. Here’s what you can expect to pay in 2026/27 based on your property band and location.

Council Tax Bands Explained

Band Values — England and Scotland

Band Property Value (1 April 1991) Ratio to Band D
A Up to £40,000 6/9 (67%)
B £40,001 – £52,000 7/9 (78%)
C £52,001 – £68,000 8/9 (89%)
D £68,001 – £88,000 9/9 (100%)
E £88,001 – £120,000 11/9 (122%)
F £120,001 – £160,000 13/9 (144%)
G £160,001 – £320,000 15/9 (167%)
H Over £320,000 18/9 (200%)

Band Values — Wales

Band Property Value (1 April 2003) Ratio to Band D
A Up to £44,000 6/9 (67%)
B £44,001 – £65,000 7/9 (78%)
C £65,001 – £91,000 8/9 (89%)
D £91,001 – £123,000 9/9 (100%)
E £123,001 – £162,000 11/9 (122%)
F £162,001 – £223,000 13/9 (144%)
G £223,001 – £324,000 15/9 (167%)
H £324,001 – £424,000 18/9 (200%)
I Over £424,000 21/9 (233%)

Average Council Tax by Band — England 2026/27

National Average Rates

Band Average Annual Bill Monthly Equivalent
A £1,447 £121
B £1,688 £141
C £1,930 £161
D £2,171 £181
E £2,653 £221
F £3,136 £261
G £3,618 £302
H £4,342 £362

Distribution of Homes by Band

Band % of Homes Number of Homes (millions)
A 24.2% 5.8
B 19.6% 4.7
C 21.8% 5.2
D 15.4% 3.7
E 10.2% 2.4
F 5.0% 1.2
G 3.1% 0.7
H 0.7% 0.2

Council Tax by Region — England

Regional Band D Rates 2026/27

Region Band D Average vs National Average Lowest in Region Highest in Region
London £1,851 -15% City of London (£1,043) Harrow (£2,115)
South East £2,182 +1% Windsor (£1,420) Isle of Wight (£2,380)
South West £2,245 +3% Poole (£1,980) Dorset (£2,450)
East of England £2,178 0% Hertsmere (£1,890) Tendring (£2,380)
West Midlands £2,098 -3% Solihull (£1,820) Sandwell (£2,320)
East Midlands £2,189 +1% Rutland (£2,450) NE Derbyshire (£2,580)
Yorkshire & Humber £2,085 -4% Craven (£1,980) Kingston upon Hull (£2,180)
North West £2,141 -1% Trafford (£1,750) Knowsley (£2,380)
North East £2,245 +3% North Tyneside (£2,050) Hartlepool (£2,420)
England Average £2,171 — — —

Cheapest Council Tax Areas — England

Local Authority Band D Band A
City of London £1,043 £695
Westminster £1,020 £680
Wandsworth £1,045 £697
Hammersmith & Fulham £1,350 £900
Kensington & Chelsea £1,430 £953
Windsor & Maidenhead £1,420 £947
Tower Hamlets £1,580 £1,053
Richmond upon Thames £1,620 £1,080
Hackney £1,680 £1,120
Camden £1,720 £1,147

Most Expensive Council Tax Areas — England

Local Authority Band D Band A
Rutland £2,580 £1,720
Dorset £2,450 £1,633
Isle of Wight £2,380 £1,587
Nottingham £2,480 £1,653
NE Derbyshire £2,580 £1,720
Lewes £2,420 £1,613
Bristol £2,340 £1,560
Knowsley £2,380 £1,587
Hartlepool £2,420 £1,613
Durham £2,380 £1,587

Scotland Council Tax 2026/27

Scottish Council Tax Bands

Band Average Bill vs Band D
A £945 67%
B £1,103 78%
C £1,260 89%
D £1,418 100%
E £1,787 126%
F £2,156 152%
G £2,571 181%
H £3,032 214%

Scotland modified the band ratios in 2017, making higher bands pay proportionally more

Scottish Council Areas — Band D Rates

Council Area Band D Band A
Glasgow City £1,538 £1,025
Edinburgh £1,476 £984
Aberdeen City £1,494 £996
Dundee £1,485 £990
Stirling £1,520 £1,013
Highland £1,498 £999
Fife £1,456 £971
North Lanarkshire £1,420 £947
South Lanarkshire £1,398 £932
West Lothian £1,385 £923

Cheapest in Scotland: Eilean Siar (Western Isles) — £1,217 Band D

Most Expensive in Scotland: Midlothian — £1,612 Band D

Wales Council Tax 2026/27

Welsh Bands

Band Average Bill vs Band D
A £1,253 67%
B £1,462 78%
C £1,670 89%
D £1,879 100%
E £2,297 122%
F £2,714 144%
G £3,132 167%
H £3,758 200%
I £4,385 233%

Welsh Local Authorities — Band D Rates

Authority Band D Band A
Cardiff £1,720 £1,147
Newport £1,650 £1,100
Swansea £1,780 £1,187
Wrexham £1,820 £1,213
Rhondda Cynon Taf £1,980 £1,320
Pembrokeshire £1,450 £967
Powys £1,680 £1,120
Monmouthshire £1,820 £1,213
Vale of Glamorgan £1,750 £1,167
Blaenau Gwent £2,180 £1,453

Council Tax Discounts and Exemptions

Standard Discounts

Discount Amount Who Qualifies
Single person 25% off Only one adult in property
Full-time students (all occupants) 100% exempt All residents are full-time students
Single person + student 25% off Only non-student pays
Severe mental impairment 25% off (or exempt) Certified by doctor
Care leavers (under 25) Up to 100% Care leavers in many areas

Property Exemptions

Exemption Duration Condition
Empty and unfurnished Up to 6 months Class C exemption
Deceased owner’s property Up to 6 months After probate granted
Student halls Permanent Student accommodation
Armed forces accommodation Permanent MOD properties
Annexe (disabled relative) 50% off Disabled occupant’s annexe
Uninhabitable Up to 12 months Requires major repairs

Empty Property Premiums

Duration Empty Premium
Up to 1 year Standard rate (or discount)
1-2 years empty Up to 100% premium (double tax)
2-5 years empty Up to 200% premium (triple tax)
5-10 years empty Up to 300% premium (4x tax)
10+ years empty Up to 400% premium (5x tax)

Exact premiums vary by local authority

Second Home Premiums

Situation Premium
Second home (furnished) Up to 100% premium
Holiday let (qualifying) No premium
Work-related second home No premium (with evidence)

How to Reduce Your Council Tax

Check Your Band Is Correct

Sign Your Band May Be Wrong Action
Neighbours in similar homes pay less Challenge your band
Property was converted (made smaller) Apply for reband
Banding based on wrong details Challenge with evidence
Nearby development reduced value May warrant review

How to Challenge Your Band

Step Detail
1. Check neighbours Use Valuation Office Agency website
2. Gather evidence Photos, estate agent values, land registry data
3. Apply online VOA website (England/Wales) or SAA (Scotland)
4. Wait for decision Usually 2-6 months
5. Appeal if rejected Valuation Tribunal (free)

Warning: Your band could go UP as well as down. The VOA can also review neighbours’ bands.

Council Tax Support (Low Income)

Eligibility Support Available
Working age, low income Up to 100% (varies by council)
Pension age, low income Up to 100%
Universal Credit recipients Varies by council
Housing Benefit recipients Automatic assessment

Who to Contact

Issue Contact
Pay your bill Your local council
Query your bill Your local council
Challenge your band Valuation Office Agency (England/Wales) or Scottish Assessors
Appeal a decision Valuation Tribunal Service
Hardship Your local council

Council Tax Payment Options

Payment Methods

Method Notes
Direct debit (10 months) Standard — April to January
Direct debit (12 months) Available on request
Online/card payment Usually accepted
Payment at Post Office With bill
Cash at Paypoint/PayZone With bill

What Happens If You Can’t Pay

Stage What Happens
1. Reminder letter Sent after 14+ days late
2. Final notice Lose right to pay monthly — full year due
3. Summons Court date set, £60-£100 costs added
4. Liability order Council can take enforcement action
5. Bailiffs/deductions Wages, benefits, or bailiff visit

If struggling: Contact your council BEFORE missing payments — payment plans are usually available.

Sources

  1. Gov.uk — Council Tax bands and rates
  2. Valuation Office Agency — Council Tax