In This Guide
If you own or rent a property in the UK, you pay council tax — but do you know why you pay the amount you do? The answer lies in council tax bands, a system that determines how much each household contributes based on their property's value.
In this comprehensive guide, we'll explain exactly what council tax bands A through H mean, how they were set using 1991 property values, why the Valuation Office Agency (VOA) estimates that around 400,000 homes are in the wrong band, and how you can check if you're overpaying.
💡 Key Takeaway
Council tax bands are based on what your property was worth on 1st April 1991 in England and Scotland (or 2003 in Wales). If your band is wrong, you could be overpaying by hundreds of pounds every year — and potentially get refunds backdated to 1993.
What Are Council Tax Bands?
Council tax bands are categories that determine how much council tax you pay relative to other properties in your area. Introduced in 1993 to replace the unpopular poll tax (officially the "Community Charge"), the banding system groups properties into eight categories — Band A through Band H — based on their estimated market value.
The key principle is straightforward: more valuable properties pay more council tax, less valuable properties pay less. Band D is used as the reference point — if a council sets the Band D rate at £2,000, then Band A pays roughly 67% of that (around £1,333), while Band H pays 200% (£4,000).
Each band represents a fraction of the Band D amount:
- Band A — 6/9 of Band D (67%)
- Band B — 7/9 of Band D (78%)
- Band C — 8/9 of Band D (89%)
- Band D — 9/9 (100% — the reference band)
- Band E — 11/9 of Band D (122%)
- Band F — 13/9 of Band D (144%)
- Band G — 15/9 of Band D (167%)
- Band H — 18/9 of Band D (200%)
Council Tax Bands A-H: The Complete Table
Here's the full breakdown of council tax bands in England, showing the 1991 property value thresholds and approximate 2024-25 equivalent values:
| Band | 1991 Property Value | 2024 Equivalent (approx) | Ratio to Band D | Avg Tax 2024-25 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| A | Up to £40,000 | Up to £105,000 | 6/9 (67%) | ~£1,417 |
| B | £40,001 – £52,000 | £105,001 – £137,000 | 7/9 (78%) | ~£1,653 |
| C | £52,001 – £68,000 | £137,001 – £179,000 | 8/9 (89%) | ~£1,889 |
| D | £68,001 – £88,000 | £179,001 – £232,000 | 9/9 (100%) | ~£2,125 |
| E | £88,001 – £120,000 | £232,001 – £316,000 | 11/9 (122%) | ~£2,597 |
| F | £120,001 – £160,000 | £316,001 – £421,000 | 13/9 (144%) | ~£3,069 |
| G | £160,001 – £320,000 | £421,001 – £842,000 | 15/9 (167%) | ~£3,541 |
| H | Over £320,000 | Over £842,000 | 18/9 (200%) | ~£4,250 |
Note: Average council tax figures are England-wide estimates. Your actual bill varies significantly depending on your local authority.
The 1991 Valuation: Why So Many Bands Are Wrong
Here's where things get interesting — and problematic. When the government introduced council tax in 1993 to replace the deeply unpopular poll tax (which sparked riots across the country), they needed to value every single property in England and Wales. That's over 20 million homes.
The deadline was tight. Valuers from the newly-formed Valuation Office Agency had to assess millions of properties in a matter of months. The solution? "Drive-by" valuations — assessors drove through streets, looked at houses from the outside, and made snap judgments about their 1991 values.
Why So Many Got It Wrong
Several factors contributed to the high error rate:
- Time pressure: The rushed rollout meant valuers couldn't inspect properties properly. External appearances can be deceiving — a modest-looking house might have a large extension at the back, or a grand facade might hide a property in poor condition.
- No interior inspections: Valuers rarely went inside. Two identical-looking terraced houses might be in vastly different conditions, with one having modern amenities and the other needing significant work.
- Properties built after 1991: If your home was built after 1991, valuers had to estimate what it would have been worth in 1991 — an inherently speculative exercise, especially for modern housing types that didn't exist in that era.
- Inconsistent standards: Different valuers in different areas applied different standards. A property that would be Band C in one town might be Band D in another, with no clear logic.
- No systematic reviews: Unlike business rates (which are revalued every few years), domestic council tax bands have never been comprehensively reviewed in England. The same 1991-era bands from over 30 years ago still apply today.
📊 The Numbers
In 2016-17, the VOA processed over 60,000 band challenges. Of those resolved, 10,120 properties moved to a lower band, while only 30 moved up. That's a 337:1 ratio in favour of successful downward challenges — strongly suggesting many homes are indeed over-banded.
How to Find What Council Tax Band You're In
Wondering "what council tax band am I in?" Here are four ways to find out:
4 Ways to Check Your Council Tax Band
Average Council Tax by Band (2024-25)
Council tax rates vary enormously across the country. A Band D property in Westminster might pay under £1,000, while the same band in Nottingham or Hartlepool could exceed £2,300. However, here are the approximate England-wide averages for 2024-25:
| Band | Average Annual Bill | Monthly (10 instalments) | Difference from Band D |
|---|---|---|---|
| A | £1,417 | ~£142 | −£708 |
| B | £1,653 | ~£165 | −£472 |
| C | £1,889 | ~£189 | −£236 |
| D | £2,125 | ~£213 | Reference |
| E | £2,597 | ~£260 | +£472 |
| F | £3,069 | ~£307 | +£944 |
| G | £3,541 | ~£354 | +£1,416 |
| H | £4,250 | ~£425 | +£2,125 |
This means moving down just one band could save you £236-472 per year. If you've been overpaying for a decade, that's potentially £2,360-4,720 in backdated refunds — plus ongoing annual savings.
Wales and Scotland: Key Differences
While the basic concept of council tax bands applies across Great Britain, Wales and Scotland operate differently from England in important ways.
🏴 Wales
- Valuation date: 1st April 2003 (not 1991)
- Number of bands: 9 (A-I, adding Band I)
- Band I threshold: Properties over £424,000 (2003 value)
- Revaluation: Already done once; may happen again
- Appeal body: Valuation Office Agency Wales
🏴 Scotland
- Valuation date: 1st April 1991 (same as England)
- Number of bands: 8 (A-H, same as England)
- Same thresholds: Identical to English bands
- Different ratios: Scotland uses slightly different multipliers
- Appeal body: Scottish Assessors Association
Welsh Council Tax Bands (2003 Values)
Because Wales was revalued in 2003, the band thresholds are completely different. Here's the Welsh banding system:
- Band A: Up to £44,000
- Band B: £44,001 – £65,000
- Band C: £65,001 – £91,000
- Band D: £91,001 – £123,000
- Band E: £123,001 – £162,000
- Band F: £162,001 – £223,000
- Band G: £223,001 – £324,000
- Band H: £324,001 – £424,000
- Band I: Over £424,000
The 2003 revaluation in Wales was controversial — around 33% of properties moved bands, with most going up. However, it did create a more accurate reflection of relative property values.
Scottish Council Tax Multipliers
While Scotland uses the same 1991 valuations and A-H bands as England, the multipliers are different. Since 2017, higher bands in Scotland pay proportionally more:
- Bands E-H face higher charges than the standard English ratios
- Band E pays 130% of Band D (vs 122% in England)
- Band G pays 178% of Band D (vs 167% in England)
- Band H pays 245% of Band D (vs 200% in England)
Are You in the Wrong Council Tax Band?
Given the rushed 1991 banding process, how do you know if your property is incorrectly banded? Here are the strongest indicators that you might be paying too much:
Signs You Might Be Over-Banded
- Similar neighbours are in lower bands: If identical or near-identical properties on your street are Band C while you're Band D, that's a red flag.
- Your property was built after 1991: Post-1991 builds required retrospective valuations — more prone to error.
- Extensions or changes: If your neighbours have extended but stayed in the same band, your original higher band may be wrong.
- Unusual property type: Flats above shops, converted buildings, or unusual layouts were often misjudged.
- Properties split into flats: If a house was split into flats, each flat's individual banding is often wrong.
- End-of-terrace homes: These were sometimes banded higher than mid-terraces despite similar 1991 values.
Check Your Band Against Neighbours
Our free tool compares your property against similar homes nearby — the strongest evidence for an appeal.
Check My Band Now →Frequently Asked Questions
Can my council tax band go up if I challenge it?
Technically yes — the VOA can review your band in either direction. However, the risk is minimal. In 2016-17, 10,120 properties moved down versus just 30 moving up. That's a 337:1 ratio. Our tool helps minimize risk by comparing you against neighbours first.
How far back can I claim council tax refunds?
If successful, refunds are backdated to 1st April 1993 (when council tax started) or when you moved in, whichever is later. For long-term residents, this can mean thousands of pounds.
Does improving my home affect my council tax band?
Improvements alone don't trigger a band review — bands only change when there's a "material change" like a new extension being added, or when the property is sold. Interior improvements won't affect your band until you sell.
Why hasn't England been revalued like Wales?
Politics. The 2003 Welsh revaluation was controversial (many bands went up), and no government has wanted to trigger similar backlash in England. There have been calls for revaluation, but it remains politically toxic.
Is appealing my council tax band free?
Yes. Challenging your band with the VOA costs nothing. If the VOA rejects your challenge and you escalate to the Valuation Tribunal, that's also free. You only pay if you use professional services to help build your case.
What evidence do I need to challenge my band?
The strongest evidence is comparable properties — showing similar nearby homes are in lower bands. You can also use historical property sales data to prove your home's 1991 value was below the band threshold.
Next Steps: Check If You're Overpaying
Council tax bands haven't been updated in England since 1993. With an estimated 400,000 homes in the wrong band, there's a real chance you're paying more than you should.
The good news? Checking is free, and if you're successful, you could get backdated refunds going back decades plus ongoing annual savings.
Ready to find out? Use our free council tax band checker to compare your property against your neighbours and see if you have a case.
Find Out in 60 Seconds
Enter your postcode to see your current band, compare against similar properties, and get an instant assessment.
Check My Band Now →Related guides: How to Appeal Your Council Tax Band | Understanding 1991 Property Values