Avg Band D England 2025/26
8 bands in England & Scotland
Base year for England band values
Council Tax Band Calculator
Enter your band and region to estimate your annual bill
Council Tax Bands in England (2025/26)
England uses eight council tax bands (A through H), originally set based on estimated property values on 1 April 1991. The Valuation Office Agency (VOA) set these bands when council tax was introduced in 1993 and they have not been nationally revalued since.
| Band | 1991 Property Value Range | Fraction of Band D | Estimated 2025/26 Annual Bill* |
|---|---|---|---|
| A | Up to £40,000 | 6/9 | £1,447 |
| B | £40,001 – £52,000 | 7/9 | £1,688 |
| C | £52,001 – £68,000 | 8/9 | £1,930 |
| D | £68,001 – £88,000 | 9/9 (reference) | £2,171 |
| E | £88,001 – £120,000 | 11/9 | £2,653 |
| F | £120,001 – £160,000 | 13/9 | £3,135 |
| G | £160,001 – £320,000 | 15/9 | £3,618 |
| H | Over £320,000 | 18/9 (double D) | £4,342 |
*Based on national average Band D rate of £2,171. Your actual bill will vary by local authority.
Council Tax Bands in Wales, Scotland & Northern Ireland
Wales (Bands A–I, based on 2003 values)
| Band | 2003 Property Value | Fraction of Band D |
|---|---|---|
| A | Under £44,000 | 6/9 |
| B | £44,001 – £65,000 | 7/9 |
| C | £65,001 – £91,000 | 8/9 |
| D | £91,001 – £123,000 | 9/9 |
| E | £123,001 – £162,000 | 11/9 |
| F | £162,001 – £223,000 | 13/9 |
| G | £223,001 – £324,000 | 15/9 |
| H | £324,001 – £424,000 | 18/9 |
| I | Over £424,000 | 21/9 |
Wales had a full revaluation in 2005 based on 2003 values. Average Band D in Wales is approximately £1,954 (2025/26).
Scotland (Bands A–H, based on 1991 values)
Scotland uses the same A–H band structure as England, also based on 1991 property values. However, Scotland sets its own tax rates independently through local councils. The average Band D rate in Scotland is approximately £1,372 (2025/26) — significantly lower than England due to different funding arrangements. Scottish councils are subject to a council tax freeze policy in recent years.
Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland does not use a council tax system at all. Instead, it uses a domestic rates system, where a rate is charged based on the capital value of your property assessed on 1 January 2005. Rates are set annually by the Northern Ireland Executive. Domestic rates are collected by Land & Property Services (LPS).
How to Find Your Council Tax Band
Challenging Your Council Tax Band
If you believe your property is in the wrong band, you may be able to challenge it and have it reduced. Around 60% of successful challenges result in a lower band — and refunds can be backdated to when you first moved in or when the error began.
When you can make a challenge
- When you first become liable for council tax at a property (best time to challenge)
- If you have made a structural alteration that has reduced the property's value
- If you become entitled to a discount or exemption that changes your liability
- If a physical change to your local area has reduced your property value (e.g., new road)
- If you discover similar properties on your street are in a lower band
How to gather evidence
- Use the VOA website to check bands of similar nearby properties
- Check sold prices of nearby properties around April 1991 (England) using HM Land Registry
- Look for properties of similar size, type, and location in a lower band
- Get a valuation from a local estate agent or RICS surveyor
The challenge process (England & Wales)
What happens if your band is reduced?
If your challenge is successful:
- Your council tax will be reduced going forward
- You may receive a backdated refund to when you first moved in, or when the error was made
- Neighbours with the same banding issue may also benefit (the VOA may reclassify similar properties)
Band D Multipliers Explained
The mathematics behind council tax bands is straightforward. Band D is the reference point (set to 9 ninths = 1.0). All other bands are calculated as fractions or multiples:
So if a council sets a Band D rate of £2,000, Band A would be £1,333 and Band H would be £4,000.
The 2025/26 Council Tax Increases
For 2025/26, most councils in England raised council tax by close to the maximum permitted without a referendum. The government allowed:
- General increase: up to 3% without a referendum
- Social care precept: an additional 2% for councils responsible for adult social care
- Total: up to 5% for most councils with social care responsibilities
| Council type | Max increase (no referendum) |
|---|---|
| Most single-tier and county councils | 3% core + 2% social care = 5% |
| District councils | 3% or £5, whichever is higher |
| Police precept | Up to £14/year (Band D) |
| Fire & rescue | Up to 3% |
How Council Tax Bands Works
This calculator helps you estimate council tax costs based on your property band and local authority. Council tax is a local tax set by your council to fund services including refuse collection, street lighting, libraries, parks, police, and fire services. The amount varies significantly depending on where you live and your property's valuation band.
Properties are placed in bands A to H based on their estimated value on 1 April 1991 (England) or 1 April 2003 (Wales). Band D is the reference point, with other bands calculated as a proportion of the Band D charge.
Key Information for 2025/26
Average Band D council tax in England is approximately £2,171 per year. Single occupants receive a 25% discount. Full-time students, people with severe mental impairment, and certain carers are exempt or disqualified from paying. Council tax can be paid over 10 or 12 monthly instalments. Council Tax Reduction (formerly Council Tax Benefit) is available for those on low incomes.
Example Calculation
A Band C property in an area where Band D council tax is £2,000: Band C is 8/9 of Band D = £1,778 per year (£148 per month over 12 instalments). A single occupant gets a 25% discount, reducing this to £1,333 per year or £111 per month.
Source: Based on current council tax regulations. Last updated March 2026.