Fancy moving to the borough with the lowest council tax in 2026?

Fancy moving to the borough with the lowest council tax in 2026?

By Sophia Wood-Burgess

By

New council tax rates came in on 1 April 2026. If you 're looking for a new home to buy or rent in London, here's your guide to what council tax you'll pay.

What band will I pay?

This depends on the house you're looking at. You can figure out which band a property falls under on the government website.

Every property in London is sorted into a tax band based on what their property value was (or would have been) in April 1991. This valuation, carried out by the Valuation Office Agency (a government body independent from London’s councils), took into consideration things like the property size, type, features and the neighbourhood in 1991.

Why 1991? Read: Council tax conundrum: why your neighbour might be paying less

What's my Council Tax in 2026?

The London Borough Council Tax Bands 2026-27 table below shows council tax charges across all London boroughs. The figures shown are the full charges and do not include discounts that may apply, such as those for single occupancy, students, care givers or those over 65.

London Borough Council Tax Bands 2026-27

London Borough Band A Band B Band C Band D Band E Band F Band G Band H Average
Barking and Dagenham £1,398.76 £1,631.89 £1,865.01 £2,098.14 £2,564.40 £3,030.66 £3,496.91 £4,196.29 £2,535.26
Barnet £1,357.01 £1,583.19 £1,809.34 £2,035.52 £2,487.85 £2,940.20 £3,392.53 £4,071.04 £2,459.59
Bexley £1,505.35 £1,756.25 £2,007.13 £2,258.03 £2,759.81 £3,261.60 £3,763.38 £4,516.06 £2,728.45
Brent £1,422.10 £1,659.12 £1,896.13 £2,133.15 £2,607.18 £3,081.22 £3,555.25 £4,266.30 £2,577.56
Bromley £1,361.64 £1,588.58 £1,815.52 £2,042.46 £2,496.34 £2,950.22 £3,404.10 £4,084.92 £2,467.97
Camden £1,404.24 £1,638.28 £1,872.32 £2,106.36 £2,574.44 £3,042.52 £3,510.60 £4,212.72 £2,545.19
Croydon £1,653.66 £1,929.26 £2,204.87 £2,480.48 £3,031.70 £3,582.92 £4,134.14 £4,960.96 £2,997.25
Ealing £1,360.68 £1,587.47 £1,814.24 £2,041.02 £2,494.57 £2,948.14 £3,401.70 £4,082.04 £2,466.23
Enfield £1,442.68 £1,683.13 £1,923.57 £2,164.02 £2,644.91 £3,125.81 £3,606.70 £4,328.04 £2,614.86
Greenwich £1,341.09 £1,564.61 £1,788.12 £2,011.64 £2,458.67 £2,905.71 £3,352.73 £4,023.28 £2,430.73
Hackney £1,251.58 £1,460.17 £1,668.77 £1,877.37 £2,294.57 £2,711.75 £3,128.95 £3,754.74 £2,268.49
Hammersmith and Fulham £967.61 £1,128.88 £1,290.14 £1,451.42 £1,773.95 £2,096.49 £2,419.03 £2,902.84 £1,753.80
Haringey £1,471.96 £1,717.29 £1,962.61 £2,207.94 £2,698.59 £3,189.25 £3,679.90 £4,415.88 £2,667.93
Harrow £1,597.24 £1,863.45 £2,129.65 £2,395.86 £2,928.27 £3,993.10 £3,993.10 £4,791.72 £2,961.55
Havering £1,542.37 £1,799.44 £2,056.48 £2,313.55 £2,827.67 £3,341.80 £3,855.92 £4,627.10 £2,795.54
Hillingdon £1,301.59 £1,518.52 £1,735.45 £1,952.38 £2,386.24 £2,820.11 £3,253.97 £3,904.76 £2,359.13
Hounslow £1,390.55 £1,622.31 £1,854.06 £2,085.82 £2,549.33 £3,012.85 £3,476.37 £4,171.64 £2,520.37
Islington £1,341.21 £1,564.75 £1,788.28 £2,011.82 £2,458.89 £2,905.97 £3,353.03 £4,023.64 £2,430.95
Kensington and Chelsea £1,046.31 £1,220.69 £1,395.07 £1,569.46 £1,918.23 £2,267.00 £2,615.77 £3,138.92 £1,896.43
Kingston upon Thames £1,685.63 £1,966.57 £2,247.50 £2,528.44 £3,090.31 £3,652.19 £4,214.07 £5,056.88 £3,055.20
Lambeth £1,302.63 £1,519.74 £1,736.84 £1,953.95 £2,388.16 £2,822.38 £3,256.58 £3,907.90 £2,361.02
Lewisham £1,423.42 £1,660.66 £1,897.89 £2,135.13 £2,609.60 £3,084.08 £3,558.55 £4,270.26 £2,579.95
Merton £1,419.02 £1,655.53 £1,892.02 £2,128.53 £2,601.53 £3,074.55 £3,547.55 £4,257.06 £2,571.97
Newham £1,237.30 £1,443.53 £1,649.74 £1,855.96 £2,268.39 £2,680.84 £3,093.26 £3,711.92 £2,242.62
Redbridge £1,459.78 £1,703.08 £1,946.37 £2,189.67 £2,676.26 £3,162.86 £3,649.45 £4,379.34 £2,645.85
Richmond upon Thames £1,581.38 £1,844.95 £2,108.50 £2,372.07 £2,899.19 £3,426.33 £3,953.45 £4,744.14 £2,866.25
Southwark £1,251.93 £1,460.59 £1,669.24 £1,877.90 £2,295.21 £2,712.53 £3,129.83 £3,755.80 £2,269.13
Sutton £1,513.15 £1,765.34 £2,017.53 £2,269.72 £2,774.10 £3,278.49 £3,782.87 £4,593.44 £2,749.33
Tower Hamlets £1,169.71 £1,364.67 £1,559.61 £1,754.57 £2,144.47 £2,534.38 £2,924.28 £3,509.14 £2,120.10
Waltham Forest £1,518.43 £1,771.51 £2,024.58 £2,277.65 £2,783.79 £3,289.94 £3,796.08 £4,555.30 £2,752.16
Wandsworth £660.05 £770.06 £880.06 £990.07 £1,210.09 £1,430.11 £1,650.12 £1,980.15 £1,196.34
Westminster £678.12 £791.14 £904.16 £1,017.18 £1,243.22 £1,469.26 £1,695.30 £2,034.36 £1,229.09
London Average £1,338.97 £1,561.59 £1,784.20 £2,006.82 £2,452.75 £2,915.48 £3,380.37 £4,057.29 £2,437.18

London Council Tax Bands 2026-27

The table above shows council tax charges for 2026-27 across all London boroughs. Council tax bands are determined by property values, with Band A being the lowest valued properties and Band H the highest. The figures shown are the full charges and do not include discounts that may apply for single occupancy, students, care givers or those over 65.

Council Tax Band Reference

Council Tax Band Property Value as of 1991
Band A Up to £40,000
Band B £40,001-£52,000
Band C £52,001-£68,000
Band D £68,001-£88,000
Band E £88,001-£120,000
Band F £120,001-£160,000
Band G £160,001-£320,000
Band H Over £320,000

Property band information can be found on your council tax bill or by checking your local council website. The bands are based on the property value as of April 1991 in England, not current market values.

Wandsworth has the lowest council tax rates in London, while Kingston upon Thames has the highest rates.



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The borough with the cheapest council tax in London is... Wandsworth

Once again, Wandsworth has the lowest council tax not just in London, but in the entire country. Continuing its council tax freeze for the fourth year in a row, Leader of Wandsworth Council Simon Hogg credits, “one of the lowest levels of debt and some of the highest financial reserves in London” with the ability to freeze the main portion of council tax again.

So what's it like in the borough of Wandsworth?

Borough of Wandsworth neighbourhood guide

Balham has beautiful classic residential streets. | Photo by Foxtons Specialist Video & Photography team

Balham

The darling of young families and professionals with its bustling high street packed with indie shops, cosy cafes and fantastic eateries. Famous for top-notch primary schools and that genuine community vibe where neighbours actually know each other.

Housing-wise, it's all about those gorgeous Victorian and Edwardian terraces with some modern spots mixed in.

Transport is a major draw to living here, with Balham station offering both Northern Line Tube services and National Rail connections, making commutes into central London quick and efficient.

Balham homes for sale Foxtons Balham office

Room with a view of Battersea's impressive power station. | Photo by Foxtons Specialist Video & Photography team

Battersea

Home to that iconic Power Station redevelopment that's transformed the area into a magnet for young professionals and families. You'll find everything from swanky modern riverside apartments to charming Victorian and Edwardian homes. The Power Station project has brought a buzzing new scene of shops, restaurants, and hangouts, while Battersea Park remains the beloved green lung for everyone needing an escape.

The area is exceptionally well-served by transport; Battersea Power Station has its own Northern Line Tube stop, while Clapham Junction, one of the busiest stations in Europe, provides extensive National Rail and London Overground services to destinations across London and beyond.

Battersea homes for sale Foxtons Battersea office

Putney

With its riverside charm and tree-lined streets, Putney attracts a slightly more established crowd. Life moves at a gentler pace here, with Putney Heath and the Thames Path providing perfect weekend wandering spots. Property ranges from impressive Victorian and Edwardian houses to those enviable modern flats overlooking the Thames.

Transport options are excellent; Putney National Rail station offers direct links to Waterloo, while East Putney and Southfields Tube stations on the District Line connect residents to Wimbledon, Richmond, and central London. The Thames Clippers river bus service also provides a unique and scenic commute.

Putney homes for sale Foxtons Putney office

Tooting

A delightfully vibrant, multicultural hub where young creatives and growing families rub shoulders. The indoor markets are the beating heart of the area: a treasure trove of eclectic food stalls, quirky indie shops and characterful bars. Housing is predominantly Victorian terraces at prices that are a kinder on your wallet.

Tooting is incredibly well-connected by the Northern Line, with Tooting Broadway and Tooting Bec Tube stations offering fast and frequent services into the city and West End.

Tooting homes for sale Foxtons Tooting office

Wandsworth Town

At the heart of the borough, Wandsworth Town blends historic charm with contemporary living. It has modern developments alongside period properties, a thriving high street crowned by Southside Shopping Centre and that picturesque riverside setting. Perfect for young professionals and families seeking the holy grail of great amenities and transport links.

Wandsworth Town National Rail station offers direct trains to Waterloo, while an extensive network of bus routes connects the area to various parts of London. The Thames Clippers also stop at Wandsworth Riverside Quarter Pier, providing a scenic river commute.

Wandsworth homes for sale Foxtons office



Source: Council tax figures are based on 2026–27 borough rates published by local authorities, with bandings set by the Valuation Office Agency using 1991 property valuations. While rates vary across London, this guide brings them together in one place with local insight from Foxtons teams who work across every borough. If you have any questions on this article, email us to ask a Foxtons expert

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