Council Tax LedgerHome › Which band am I?
Which council tax band am I in?
Every home in England sits in one of eight valuation bands, A to H, fixed by what it would have sold for on 1 April 1991. The band letter decides what fraction of the council's Band D charge you pay: two thirds for Band A, exactly double for Band H.
The eight bands
| Band | Value on 1 April 1991 | Fraction of Band D | England average 2026/27 |
|---|---|---|---|
| A | up to £40,000 | 6/9 | £1,594 |
| B | £40,001 to £52,000 | 7/9 | £1,860 |
| C | £52,001 to £68,000 | 8/9 | £2,126 |
| D | £68,001 to £88,000 | 9/9 | £2,392 |
| E | £88,001 to £120,000 | 11/9 | £2,923 |
| F | £120,001 to £160,000 | 13/9 | £3,454 |
| G | £160,001 to £320,000 | 15/9 | £3,986 |
| H | more than £320,000 | 18/9 | £4,783 |
England averages apply the statutory fractions to MHCLG's average area Band D of £2,392 for 2026/27. Your own council's figures are on its page: find your council.
How to check your band
- Open the Check your Council Tax band service on GOV.UK.
- Enter your postcode and select your address. The result shows the band letter and the local authority that bills you.
- Come back here and pick that council and band on the home page for the 2026/27 bill, or open the council's page for all eight bands.
Why bands still use 1991 prices
England has never revalued since council tax began in April 1993. A house that has since doubled or halved in relative value keeps its 1991 band, which is why two similar homes on the same street can sit in different bands and why a Band D home in Westminster is worth far more today than a Band D home in Burnley. New-build homes are banded by estimating what they would have fetched in 1991.
If you think your band is wrong
The Valuation Office Agency (VOA) reviews bands. Good evidence is a neighbouring home of the same size, age and type in a lower band, or a sale price from around 1991 that puts the property below the band threshold. If the review succeeds the council refunds overpaid tax back to when you moved in. Bands can also be raised, and neighbours' bands can be reviewed at the same time, so check the evidence before asking.
Questions
How do I find my council tax band?
Use the "Check your Council Tax band" service on GOV.UK, run by the Valuation Office Agency: enter your postcode and pick your address. The band is also printed on your council tax bill and is shown on most property listings and Energy Performance Certificates.
What are the council tax bands based on?
On what the property would have sold for on 1 April 1991, not its value today. Band A covers homes worth up to £40,000 in 1991 and Band H homes worth more than £320,000. New homes are still banded by working back to a 1991 value.
How much more does Band E pay than Band D?
Two ninths more, or 22%. Each band is a fixed fraction of Band D under the Local Government Finance Act 1992: A pays 6/9, B 7/9, C 8/9, D 9/9, E 11/9, F 13/9, G 15/9 and H 18/9. So a Band H home always pays exactly twice a Band D home in the same area, and three times a Band A home.
Can I challenge my council tax band?
Yes, through the Valuation Office Agency if you can show evidence that similar homes nearby are in a lower band or that the 1991 value was wrong. If you have lived in the property for more than six months you make a "band review" request rather than a formal challenge. The band can go up as well as down.
Do Wales and Scotland use the same bands?
No. Wales revalued in 2003 and has nine bands, A to I. Scotland keeps eight bands on 1991 values but changed the ratios for Bands E to H in 2017, so those bands pay proportionally more than in England. This site has separate Wales and Scotland sections.
Sources
- Council Tax levels set by local authorities in England 2026 to 2027 (MHCLG statistical release, 25 March 2026) (accessed 2026-09-12) ✓ checked
- Local Government Finance Act 1992, section 5: different categories of dwellings (band proportions 6:7:8:9:11:13:15:18) (accessed 2026-09-12) ✓ checked
- GOV.UK: Council Tax bands (valuation bands in England based on 1 April 1991 values) (accessed 2026-09-12) ✓ checked
Council Tax Ledger shows the average area council tax for 2026/27 for a dwelling occupied by two adults with no discounts, as published by the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government. Parish precepts vary within a district, so your bill may differ. Not financial advice.