What is the average council tax in the UK 2026/27?

The average Band D council tax in England for 2026/27 is £2,171, up 5% from the previous year. Scotland averages £1,418 for Band D, and Wales averages £1,879. However, most homes aren't Band D — 44% are in Bands A-C, so many pay less. The actual amount varies significantly by local authority.

What council tax band is my property UK?

Council tax bands are based on your property's value as of 1 April 1991 (England/Scotland) or 1 April 2003 (Wales). Check your band on the Valuation Office Agency website (England/Wales) or Scottish Assessors (Scotland). Band A is the cheapest (up to £40,000 value in 1991), Band H is the most expensive (over £320,000 in 1991).

Can I reduce my council tax band UK?

Yes — you can challenge your band if you believe it's wrong. Common reasons: similar properties nearby are in a lower band, physical changes have reduced value (like nearby development), or the property was incorrectly valued. Apply to the Valuation Office Agency — it's free but your band could go up as well as down.

Who is exempt from council tax UK?

Full exemptions apply to: full-time students, people in care homes, people in prison, severely mentally impaired individuals, diplomats, and properties left empty by deceased owners (up to 6 months). 25% single person discount applies if only one adult lives in the property. Various other discounts exist for second homes, carers, and people on certain benefits.

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

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 — 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.

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

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