Council tax is charged by local authorities on every domestic property in the UK. Most people pay it without knowing how their band was determined — or that they may be able to challenge it.
| Band | England (1991 value) | Fraction of Band D |
|---|---|---|
| A | Up to £40,000 | 6/9 |
| B | £40,001–£52,000 | 7/9 |
| C | £52,001–£68,000 | 8/9 |
| D | £68,001–£88,000 | 9/9 (reference point) |
| E | £88,001–£120,000 | 11/9 |
| F | £120,001–£160,000 | 13/9 |
| G | £160,001–£320,000 | 15/9 |
| H | Over £320,000 | 18/9 |
Note: Bands are based on 1991 property values — not current prices. A property worth £300,000 today may have been worth £70,000 in 1991, placing it in Band D.
| Band | Average Annual Bill | Monthly |
|---|---|---|
| A | £1,200–£1,500 | £100–£125 |
| B | £1,400–£1,750 | £117–£146 |
| C | £1,600–£2,000 | £133–£167 |
| D | £1,800–£2,200 | £150–£183 |
| E | £2,200–£2,700 | £183–£225 |
| F | £2,600–£3,200 | £217–£267 |
| G | £3,000–£3,700 | £250–£308 |
Go to gov.uk/council-tax-bands and enter your postcode. This shows your band and your local council's rates.
Around 400,000 homes in England are believed to be in the wrong band — usually too high. You can challenge your band if:
Submit a challenge via the Valuation Office Agency (voa.gov.uk). If successful, you get a refund backdated to when you moved in — potentially worth thousands.
Tip: If your neighbour's property is the same size and layout as yours but in a lower band, this is strong evidence for a challenge.
Estimate your council tax bill based on your band and region with our UK council tax calculator.
Council Tax Calculator