Every property in England has been allocated to one of 8 bands by the Valuation Office Agency, based on what it would have sold for in April 1991. Here's what each band means and the average rate across England for 2026/27.
The Band D rate is the standard reference figure used across the UK to compare councils. The other bands are calculated as fixed fractions of Band D, set in legislation: Band A is 6/9 of Band D, Band H is 18/9, and so on. This means that if your council sets a Band D rate of £2,000, the Band H rate is automatically £4,000 — three times the Band A rate.
The bands themselves were set in 1991 and have not been updated. So your band depends on what your home would have sold for then, even if the property didn't exist or has been substantially altered since.
The cheapest band. Smaller terraced houses, flats, and starter properties — what would have sold for under £40,000 in 1991. Around 25% of English homes are in this band.
Small terraces and flats in higher-priced areas, or larger terraces in more affordable areas. About 20% of English households.
Mid-range terraced and semi-detached homes — the second most common band. Around 22% of households.
The reference band. Standard 3-bedroom semi-detached or larger terraced. About 16% of English households are in Band D — but it is the band used as the comparison point in all council tax statistics.
Larger semi-detached and smaller detached properties. About 9% of households.
4-bedroom detached homes and larger 3-bedroom houses. About 5% of households.
Substantial detached houses, often on larger plots. Around 3% of households.
The smallest band — properties that would have sold for over £320,000 in 1991, the most expensive housing stock. Less than 1% of English households.
Welsh council tax bands run from A to I (one extra band, for the highest-value properties), and were last revalued in 2003 — not 1991. The values therefore reflect the early-2000s housing market.
Scottish bands also use 1991 values, like England, and run A to H. However, the Band D fractional ratios were rebalanced in 2017 — properties in Bands E to H pay proportionally more than they would in England. This means a Band H Scottish home pays a higher multiple of Band D than its English equivalent.
The fastest way is to use the VOA's free band-checker. Just enter your postcode. Your band is also shown on every council tax bill you've ever received.
Yes. If you believe your home is in the wrong band — most likely because similar neighbouring properties are in a lower band — you can challenge it free through the VOA. A successful challenge backdates up to 6 years of overpayment. Note that bands can be increased as well as decreased, so check carefully before applying.
For more on each council's specific 2026/27 band rates, browse our all councils page or use the search on the homepage.