Households across England face another council tax increase from April with the average bill expected to rise by around £114 as most local authorities impose the maximum allowed increase.
Research shows the typical annual charge could reach £2,394 in 2026/27 after councils move to raise tax by 4.99%, the highest level permitted without triggering a referendum.
The rise comes as many authorities warn they are under severe financial pressure and need additional income to maintain services.
The latest increase follows a decade of steady rises which have pushed average bills sharply higher. Over the past 10 years, council tax has increased by around £751 on average, with some areas seeing rises close to £1,000.
BIG JUMPS
Croydon has recorded one of the biggest jumps, with the average bill rising from £1,494 in 2016/17 to £2,480 in 2025/26 – a rise of 66%. Other areas with large increases include Rutland, Somerset, Nottingham, Gateshead, Liverpool, Birmingham, Lewes and Bristol.
Council tax funds a wide range of local services including refuse collection, social care, parks, libraries, policing and fire services, with some areas also adding mayoral or transport levies on top.
UNAVOIDABLE EXPENSE
Adam Day (main picture, inset),Head of eXp UK and Europe, says: “Council tax is an unavoidable expense for homeowners as well as the majority of private renters.
“It can be incredibly frustrating when the bill goes up year after year, but when local authorities are struggling with their finances, the additional income is absolutely vital if they’re to maintain public services.
“When you’re buying a property, it’s always good to keep an eye on the local council tax rate, especially for households with tight monthly finances, as the average bill can differ by more than £1,000 per year depending on where you live.”
