Council Tax Rises Up to 5% Across England from April 2026
Most English councils implemented maximum increases of nearly 5% on 1 April, adding around £111 to the average Band D property bill, with some areas seeing rises above 8%.
Council tax rose by 4.9% on average for households across England in 2026-27, with the average council tax for a Band D property in England increasing to £2,392 a year — up £111 on last year. The increases took effect from 1 April 2026.
How Much Bills Increased
The vast majority of English councils raised Council Tax by 5%, the maximum amount that's normally allowed without a referendum. Of 384 authorities, 274 hiked Council Tax by the full 5%, while another 50 increased rates by close to 5%. However, seven authorities received government permission to raise council tax by more than 4.99%: North Somerset (8.99%), Shropshire (8.99%), Worcestershire (8.99%), Trafford (7.49%), Warrington (7.49%), Windsor & Maidenhead (7.49%), and Bournemouth, Christchurch & Poole (6.74%).
Nearly all London boroughs raised their council tax by the maximum 4.99 percent, meaning Londoners saw an average of nearly £100 added to their annual council tax. Wandsworth and Westminster both decided to freeze the main element of their council tax, only increasing the portion spent on social care, resulting in a rise of just two percent, with Wandsworth having the lowest council tax in the entire country at £1,020 for the year.
For foreign residents and expats: Council Tax is a local property tax charged to all UK residents, whether you own or rent. Unlike some countries where only property owners pay, tenants in the UK are usually liable unless the landlord specifically includes it in the rent (common only in HMOs or some student housing). If you moved to the UK recently, check your tenancy agreement — you're likely responsible for this bill. The amount depends on your property's valuation band and your local council, so two identical flats in different boroughs can have very different bills. You can claim a 25% single-person discount if you live alone, and full-time students are exempt.
