Council Tax in Different Regions

As you will likely know, council tax is the main source of locally raised income for many local authorities. It was introduced in April 1993 and the amount of council tax payable on a property depends in part on the council tax band to which it is allocated. Council tax bands are based on several factors, namely a property’s size, layout, location, and character. However, you may not know that council tax charges vary slightly between parishes, depending on the level of charge set by the individual town and parish councils.

The average Band D council tax set by local authorities in England last year was £1,966, which is an increase of £67 or 3.5% on the previous year’s figure of £1,898. This figure does not consider the one-off £150 council tax rebate (Energy Rebate) being given to households in Bands A to D. Last year, the average area Band D council tax was £1,684 across London (an increase of £62 or 3.8% when compared to the year before), £1,960 in metropolitan areas (+£67 or 3.6%), £2,034 (+£64 or 3.3%) in unitary areas and £2,041 (+£71 or 3.6%) in shire areas. This made the average council tax per dwelling £1,493, with the average amount per dwelling after the £150 Energy Rebate being an estimated £1,375.

This year, the average Band D council tax set by local authorities in England will be £2,065, which is an increase of £99 or 5.1% on last year’s figure of £1,966. The average area Band D council tax will be £1,789 across London (an increase of £105 or 6.2% when compared to 2022-23), £2,059 in metropolitan areas (+£99 or 5.1%), and on a like-for-like basis, £2,139 (+£103 or 5.0%) in unitary areas and £2,134 (+£94 or 5.0%) in shire areas. This makes the average council tax per dwelling £1,578. As such, this is an £85 increase from last year (excluding last year’s Energy Rebates).

If you disagree with your council tax band, you have the right to appeal. Please fill out this form here: https://counciltaxchallenger.co.uk/check/. Or to get in contact please contact us here: https://counciltaxchallenger.co.uk/contact-us/.