Last reviewed: May 2026
Quick answer: Merton sets its Band D rate at a full council meeting in February; every other band is a fixed fraction of Band D and the GLA precept is added on top.Merton Council Tax pays for the bills you see each day: street cleaning in Wimbledon, Mitcham, Morden and Colliers Wood, social care, local schools and the police and fire precepts that the Greater London Authority collects through the borough. Your bill is split between Merton itself and the GLA precept set at City Hall.
Merton is one of the south-west London boroughs and is run from the Civic Centre in Morden. The borough is the billing authority, so the bill arrives in its name even though the GLA, the Mayor's Office for Policing and Crime, and the London Fire Commissioner all take a share. Bands are set by the Valuation Office Agency using 1991 property values, and the amount per band is decided each February when Merton sets its budget.
| Band | Property Value (1991) | Ratio to Band D |
|---|---|---|
| A | Up to £40,000 | 6/9 |
| B | £40,001 to £52,000 | 7/9 |
| C | £52,001 to £68,000 | 8/9 |
| D | £68,001 to £88,000 | 9/9 |
| E | £88,001 to £120,000 | 11/9 |
| F | £120,001 to £160,000 | 13/9 |
| G | £160,001 to £320,000 | 15/9 |
| H | Over £320,000 | 18/9 |
Band ranges fixed by central government in 1991. Merton sets the cash amount per band each February.
How Merton sets Council Tax for 2026-27
Merton Council passes its annual budget in February. The decision sets the Band D rate for the year; every other band is calculated from that figure using the fixed 6/9 to 18/9 schedule.
The bill you receive is a single payment that covers Merton itself (for adult and children's social care, waste, leisure, planning and most front-line services), the adult social care precept (an extra portion of the Merton charge ring-fenced for social care), and the Greater London Authority precept (police, fire, the Mayor's office and transport responsibilities).
Merton publishes the full band-by-band breakdown on its "Council Tax charges" page after the February budget meeting, alongside the explanatory budget papers and the medium-term financial plan.
Council Tax bands A to H in Merton
The Valuation Office Agency assigns every home in England to one of eight bands, A through H, based on its value in April 1991. Merton then sets a Band D rate; every other band is a fixed fraction of Band D.
Band A is 6/9ths of Band D, Band B is 7/9ths, Band C is 8/9ths, Band E is 11/9ths, Band F is 13/9ths, Band G is 15/9ths and Band H is 18/9ths. This ratio is fixed by central government and applies the same way in Merton as it does in any other English billing authority.
To check your band, look up your address on the Valuation Office Agency search tool, or use the band shown on your annual bill. If you think the band is wrong because of evidence about your property in 1991, you have a narrow window to challenge it once you first move in.
How to pay Merton Council Tax
Most Merton residents pay by Direct Debit because it spreads the bill across the year and stops any reminder letters arriving. You can usually choose between paying on the 1st, the 15th or the last working day of the month, and you can switch between 10 instalments (the default) or 12 instalments.
Other options at Merton include paying online through the council website using a debit or credit card, paying by automated phone line around the clock, paying at a PayPoint with your bill barcode, or sending a cheque with your reference number written on the back.
If you want 12 instalments instead of 10, you have a legal right to ask for it under the Council Tax (Administration and Enforcement) Regulations 1992, as amended. Merton must agree provided you ask before the bill year starts in April.
Discounts, exemptions and Council Tax Support in Merton
The most common discount is the 25 per cent single person discount. If you are the only adult living at the property, you should be paying three-quarters of the full bill. Apply through Merton with proof of who lives at the address.
Council Tax Reduction is the means-tested help available to people on a low income or claiming certain benefits. Merton runs its own scheme within the framework set by central government, and the amount of help depends on income, savings, household make-up and whether anyone in the home is disabled or a carer.
Other reductions worth checking: full-time students are disregarded, a property occupied only by under-18s is exempt, a person with a severe mental impairment is disregarded with a GP certificate, and the disability reduction scheme can drop your bill to the band below your current one if a disabled person needs adapted facilities.
Moving, appeals and arrears in Merton
Tell Merton as soon as you move in or out so the bill is correct from day one. You can usually do this through an online form, and you will need your moving date, the address you are leaving or entering, and details of any other adults at the property.
If you receive a bill you do not agree with, the first step is to write to Merton setting out why. Liability disputes (who should be paying, whether a discount applies) go through the council; banding disputes go to the Valuation Office Agency, then on to the Valuation Tribunal for England if you remain unhappy.
Falling behind on payments triggers a fixed legal sequence: a 7-day reminder, then the loss of your right to instalments and the whole year becoming payable, then a summons to the magistrates' court for a liability order. After that Merton can use enforcement agents, attachment of earnings or attachment of benefits to recover the debt.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I set up Direct Debit for Merton Council Tax?
Use the Direct Debit form on Merton's Council Tax pages. You will need your Council Tax account reference (top of your bill), your bank details and your chosen payment date. The first payment is normally taken on the next payment date after the bank has set up the mandate.
What if my Merton bill is more than I can afford?
Apply for Council Tax Support first; the amount of help depends on income, savings and household. If you also have arrears, ask Merton about a payment arrangement before any court action. A short-term discretionary reduction may be available if the standard scheme does not bring the bill down enough.
Can I check my Merton Council Tax band online?
Yes. Use the Valuation Office Agency Council Tax band search and enter your postcode. The result shows the band that applies to your address and the date it was set. Your annual Merton bill also shows the band on the top right.
When does Merton issue the new Council Tax bill?
Bills are posted in March, with the first instalment due on 1 April. If you pay by Direct Debit on a date other than the 1st, your first payment is taken on the next available date after the bill goes out.
What is the GLA precept on my Merton bill?
The Greater London Authority precept is the share of your bill collected on behalf of the Mayor of London. It funds the Metropolitan Police, the London Fire Brigade, Transport for London responsibilities and the Mayor's central office. The amount per band is decided at City Hall and added by Merton to the bill.
How We Verified This
Framework details verified against gov.uk and the Local Government Finance Act 1992. Merton-specific structure (billing authority, civic centre location, GLA precept) verified against published Merton Council budget papers.
Sources
- gov.uk - Council Tax overview
- gov.uk - Council Tax bands and reductions
- gov.uk - Apply for Council Tax Reduction
- Valuation Office Agency - How Council Tax bands are set in England and Wales
- Valuation Tribunal England - Council Tax appeal procedures and decisions
- legislation.gov.uk - Local Government Finance Act 1992