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.
For the wider cluster covering band checks, discounts, billing and arrears, use the main Council Tax hub.
Council Tax Bands Explained
Band Values in England
| 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 in Scotland
| Band | Property Value (1 April 1991) | Ratio to Band D |
|---|
| A | Up to £27,000 | 240/360 (67%) |
| B | £27,001 – £35,000 | 280/360 (78%) |
| C | £35,001 – £45,000 | 320/360 (89%) |
| D | £45,001 – £58,000 | 360/360 (100%) |
| E | £58,001 – £80,000 | 473/360 (131%) |
| F | £80,001 – £106,000 | 585/360 (163%) |
| G | £106,001 – £212,000 | 705/360 (196%) |
| H | Over £212,000 | 882/360 (245%) |
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 | £1,594 | £133 |
| B | £1,860 | £155 |
| C | £2,126 | £177 |
| D | £2,392 | £199 |
| E | £2,923 | £244 |
| F | £3,454 | £288 |
| G | £3,986 | £332 |
| H | £4,783 | £399 |
Band D is the MHCLG England average for 2026/27 (£2,392, including adult social care and parish precepts), up £111 or 4.9% on 2025/26. Other bands are estimated with the standard band ratios. Monthly figures divide the annual bill by 12; most councils collect over 10 months unless you ask for 12.
How Homes Are Spread Across the Bands
Band A is the most common council tax band in England: 6.1 million properties, or 23.6% of the total, were in Band A at 31 March 2026, according to the Valuation Office Agency. Because so many homes sit in the lower bands, the average bill per dwelling in England (£1,868 in 2026/27) is well below the Band D figure.
Council Tax by Area in England
Average Band D by Type of Area 2026/27
| Type of area | Band D Average | Change on 2025/26 |
|---|
| London | £2,068 | +4.4% |
| Metropolitan areas | £2,409 | +5.2% |
| Shire areas | £2,452 | +4.6% |
| Unitary areas | £2,490 | +5.3% |
| England average | £2,392 | +4.9% |
Source: MHCLG, Council Tax levels set by local authorities in England 2026 to 2027, Table 7. Area averages include the county, police, fire and parish precepts on a typical bill.
Cheapest Council Tax Areas — England
| Local Authority | Band D | Band A |
|---|
| Wandsworth | £1,028 | £685 |
| Westminster | £1,050 | £700 |
| City of London | £1,330 | £886 |
| Hammersmith and Fulham | £1,520 | £1,013 |
| Kensington and Chelsea | £1,667 | £1,111 |
| Tower Hamlets | £1,838 | £1,225 |
| Newham | £1,944 | £1,296 |
| Windsor and Maidenhead | £1,953 | £1,302 |
| Southwark | £1,967 | £1,312 |
| Hillingdon | £2,045 | £1,364 |
Most Expensive Council Tax Areas — England
| Local Authority | Band D | Band A |
|---|
| Dorset | £2,765 | £1,843 |
| Lewes | £2,756 | £1,837 |
| Nottingham | £2,755 | £1,837 |
| Rutland | £2,738 | £1,825 |
| Wealden | £2,728 | £1,819 |
| Gateshead | £2,716 | £1,811 |
| Bristol | £2,714 | £1,809 |
| West Devon | £2,705 | £1,804 |
| Rother | £2,701 | £1,801 |
| Newark and Sherwood | £2,682 | £1,788 |
Area averages for a home occupied by two adults, including parish precepts, from MHCLG Table 9 (2026/27). Your bill can differ within a council area because parish precepts vary.
Scotland Council Tax 2026/27
Scottish Council Tax Bands
| Band | Average Bill | vs Band D |
|---|
| A | £1,102 | 67% |
| B | £1,286 | 78% |
| C | £1,470 | 89% |
| D | £1,653 | 100% |
| E | £2,172 | 131% |
| F | £2,687 | 163% |
| G | £3,238 | 196% |
| H | £4,051 | 245% |
Band D is the Scotland average for 2026/27 from the Scottish Government’s Council Tax by band dataset (£1,653, excluding water and sewerage charges). Other bands use the Scottish band ratios. Scotland raised the ratios for Bands E to H in 2017, so higher bands pay proportionally more than in England.
Scottish Council Areas — Band D Rates
| Council Area | Band D | Band A |
|---|
| Glasgow City | £1,706 | £1,137 |
| Edinburgh | £1,626 | £1,084 |
| Aberdeen City | £1,748 | £1,165 |
| Dundee | £1,730 | £1,153 |
| Stirling | £1,753 | £1,169 |
| Highland | £1,634 | £1,089 |
| Fife | £1,574 | £1,049 |
| North Lanarkshire | £1,555 | £1,036 |
| South Lanarkshire | £1,468 | £979 |
| West Lothian | £1,628 | £1,085 |
Cheapest in Scotland: South Lanarkshire, £1,468 Band D
Most Expensive in Scotland: Midlothian, £1,816 Band D
Wales Council Tax 2026/27
Welsh Bands
| Band | Average Bill | vs Band D |
|---|
| A | £1,522 | 67% |
| B | £1,776 | 78% |
| C | £2,029 | 89% |
| D | £2,283 | 100% |
| E | £2,790 | 122% |
| F | £3,298 | 144% |
| G | £3,805 | 167% |
| H | £4,566 | 200% |
| I | £5,327 | 233% |
Band D is the Wales average for 2026/27 from the Welsh Government (£2,283, including police and community council precepts), up £113 or 5.2% on 2025/26. Other bands use the Welsh band ratios.
Welsh Local Authorities — Band D Rates
| Authority | Band D | Band A |
|---|
| Cardiff | £2,013 | £1,342 |
| Newport | £2,088 | £1,392 |
| Swansea | £2,238 | £1,492 |
| Wrexham | £2,309 | £1,539 |
| Rhondda Cynon Taf | £2,289 | £1,526 |
| Pembrokeshire | £2,166 | £1,444 |
| Powys | £2,352 | £1,568 |
| Monmouthshire | £2,416 | £1,611 |
| Vale of Glamorgan | £2,232 | £1,488 |
| Blaenau Gwent | £2,531 | £1,688 |
Cheapest in Wales: Cardiff, £2,013 Band D
Most Expensive in Wales: Merthyr Tydfil, £2,594 Band D
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 |
| 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.