Council Tax Rates 2026-27: Average Band D, All Bands A-H and Area Comparisons

DATA | COUNCIL TAX | MHCLG SOURCE

How council tax bands work

Council tax in England is based on eight bands (A to H) that were set on the estimated value of each property on 1 April 1991. The bands have never been revalued in England (Scotland also uses 1991 values; Wales revalued in 2003). This means that a brand-new house built in 2026 is assigned a band based on what it would have been worth in 1991, adjusted for changes in property values since then.

Band D is the standard reference band. Every other band is a fixed statutory proportion of Band D: Band A pays 6/9 (two-thirds) of Band D; Band H pays 18/9 (double) Band D. When a council announces its annual council tax increase, it only needs to announce the Band D rate -- all other bands automatically adjust as a fixed proportion of that figure.

Council tax bands -- amounts based on England average Band D (PS2,392 for 2026-27)

Source: MHCLG and statutory band ratios. Actual bills depend on your local authority's Band D rate. Find yours at gov.uk/council-tax-bands.

Bills based on England average Band D of PS2,392. Actual bills vary by local authority. Most councils offer 10 monthly payments (April-January) but can switch to 12 on request.

Why is London's council tax lower despite higher costs?

London boroughs have the lowest average Band D council tax of any area type in England at PS2,068 for 2026-27. This seems counterintuitive given London's higher cost of living, but the reason is funding structure, not lower spending. London boroughs receive significantly more central government grant funding and retain a larger share of business rates income from commercial properties. This means they need to raise less from council tax to fund the same level of services. Inner London boroughs in particular -- such as Wandsworth (PS1,028), Westminster (around PS1,038) and Kensington and Chelsea (around PS1,053) -- have some of the lowest rates in England.

In contrast, shire areas and unitary authorities tend to serve populations with more adult social care needs relative to their business rates income, require higher per-head spending on services covering large rural areas, and receive lower central government grants. This pushes their Band D rates above the national average. Dorset (PS2,765) and Rutland (PS2,730) are among the most expensive councils in England.

Council tax discounts, exemptions and reductions

The full Band D rate applies to a property occupied as a main residence by at least two adults. Several reductions are available. A 25% single person discount applies if only one adult lives in the property -- approximately 8 million households in England qualify. The discount must be claimed through the local council; it is not applied automatically.

Full-time students are disregarded for council tax purposes. A student-only household pays no council tax. If students share with non-students, the non-students pay the standard rate with no single person discount (the students are simply ignored). Properties occupied only by full-time students are exempt.

Council Tax Reduction (CTR) -- formerly Council Tax Benefit -- is a means-tested discount for people on low incomes. CTR is administered by local councils and varies significantly by area. In England, the government sets the national scheme for pensioners (a 100% reduction for those on Pension Credit). Working-age CTR schemes are set locally and vary widely. Some councils offer up to 100% reduction; others offer lower maximum discounts.

A Disability Reduction applies where a property has been adapted for a disabled person -- the council tax is charged at the band below the property's actual band (Band A properties get a 1/9 reduction from the Band A rate).

Can you challenge your council tax band?

Yes -- approximately one in eight English homes may be in the wrong band, according to industry estimates. The bands were set in 1991 based on estimated property values at that date, and errors have persisted since. You can challenge your band if you believe comparable properties in your street or area are in a lower band, or if the original banding was applied incorrectly.

To challenge your band, contact the Valuation Office Agency (VOA) at gov.uk/challenge-council-tax-band. A successful challenge results in a band reduction from the date of the challenge (not retrospectively, unless the band was set incorrectly from the start). Caution: the VOA can also increase your band if the review finds you are undercharged, so research comparable properties before challenging. Once you challenge, you must accept the outcome.

How much is council tax in 2026?

The average Band D council tax in England for 2026-27 is PS2,392 per year -- an increase of PS111 (4.9%) on 2025-26, according to MHCLG statistics published in March 2026. This is the lowest annual increase in three years. Bills vary significantly by local authority -- from PS1,028 in Wandsworth to PS2,765 in Dorset. In Wales the average Band D is PS2,283; Scotland's 2025-26 average was approximately PS1,579 (plus Scottish Water charges of around PS400-500). Northern Ireland uses a separate Domestic Rates system.

What is the council tax adult social care precept?

Adult social care authorities (county councils, London boroughs, metropolitan districts and unitary authorities) can raise council tax by an additional 2% above the standard referendum threshold specifically to fund adult social care. This extra flexibility is known as the adult social care precept. In 2026-27, all 142 eligible authorities utilised either all or some of this additional 2% flexibility. The precept accounts for approximately PS35 of the average PS2,392 Band D bill in England.

What council tax discount do I get if I live alone?

If you are the only adult living in a property, you are entitled to a 25% single person discount on your council tax bill. On the England average Band D bill of PS2,392, this reduces your annual bill to PS1,794 -- a saving of PS598 per year. The discount must be claimed through your local council; it is not applied automatically. If another adult moves in, you must inform the council and the discount will be removed from that date.

How do I find out my council tax band?

You can check your council tax band for any property in England and Wales using the Valuation Office Agency (VOA) postcode lookup at gov.uk/council-tax-bands. For Scotland, use the Scottish Assessors Association website at saa.gov.uk. For Northern Ireland, contact Land and Property Services. Your band is also shown on your annual council tax bill from your local authority.