Council Tax band
A Council Tax band is the valuation band, A to H in England, that sets a home’s share of the local Council Tax bill.
A Council Tax band is the band the Valuation Office Agency places your home in, based on its value on a fixed date. Your council then charges a set amount for each band.
According to GOV.UK:
- England has 8 bands, A to H, based on values at 1 April 1991. Band A is up to £40,000 and band H is more than £320,000.
- Wales has 9 bands, A to I, based on values at 1 April 2003. Band A is up to £44,000 and band I is more than £424,000.
- Scotland bands are set by the Scottish Assessors.
The Valuation Office looks at size, layout, character, location and use. A band can change after a home is extended or sold.
Example: a house in England worth £300,000 today is banded on what it would have sold for in April 1991, not today’s price.
GOV.UK says it is always free to challenge your band with the Valuation Office. Estimate your bill by band with the Council Tax calculator.
Tools that use it
Guides that explain it
- Council Tax bands explained: what each costs and how to find yours
- Council Tax when moving house: who to tell, what you pay and refunds
- Mansion tax: what the £2m council tax surcharge will cost you
- Think your Council Tax band is wrong? How to check and challenge it
- Which Council Tax discount can you get? Every reduction explained