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    How much is council tax in London?

    By The reallymoving Team Updated 26th Mar, 2024

    This article provides useful links to all London councils for new residents; highlighting council tax rates for 2022/23.

    How much is council tax in London?


    Council tax applies to all domestic properties in London and elsewhere in the UK, including houses, bungalows, flats, maisonettes, mobile homes and houseboats, regardless of whether they are rented or owned outright. The purpose of council tax is to contribute towards useful local services that keep our streets safe and clean, such as policing and domestic rubbish collection.

    What is my council tax band in London?

    The Valuation Office Agency, a division of the Inland Revenue, determines the valuation band for each property. In England, properties are placed into one of eight bands, based on their capital value on 1 April 1991 – not what the property is worth today.
     
    Each borough council in London differs in the amount of council tax you pay. This is dependent on the costs for services within each individual area.
     
    Below is a list of all London councils and links to their council tax information and rates for 2022/23. Find the borough you will be living in after you complete your move to London, so you can calculate your monthly council tax payments.

    London Boroughs

    Barking and Dagenham
     
    Barnet
     
    Bexley

    Brent
     
    Bromley
     
    Camden
     
    City of London
     
    Croydon
     
    Ealing
     
    Enfield

    Greenwich

    Hackney

    Hammersmith and Fulham
     
    Haringey
     
    Harrow
     
    Havering
     
    Hillingdon
     
    Hounslow

    Islington

    Kensington and Chelsea 
     
    Kingston
     
    Lambeth
     
    Lewisham
     
    Merton
     
    Newham
     
    Redbridge
     
    Richmond
     
    Southwark
     
    Tower Hamlets
     
    Waltham Forest
     
    Wandsworth
     
    Westminster

    Council tax discounts

    There are a number of discounts available for council tax. A ‘full’ council tax bill is based on the property being inhabited by a minimum of two adults. Properties occupied by a single person will be eligible for a single person reduction of 25%.

    If noone living in your home is legally coounted as an adult, you can get a discount of 50%. This includes:

    • Anyone under 18
    • 18-19 year olds in full time education
    • People on apprenticeship schemes
    • Full time university and college students.
    • Young people under 25 who get funding from the Skills Funding Agency or Young People’s Learning Agency
    • Student Nurses
    • Foreign language assistants registered with the British Council
    • People with a severe mental impairment
    • Live-in carers who look after someone who is not their partner, spouse, or child under 18
    • Diplomats

    If a property remains furnished but is not the primary residence of any individual then a second home discount may apply reduction at the discretion of each individual council.
     
    If everyone in your household is a full-time student, you don’t need to pay council tax. However, even one working member of the household invalidates this discount.

    You may also be eligible for up to an 100% discount if you are on low income or claim benefits. This will depend on the area you live and other circumstances, such as residency status and who lives with you. 

    How to apply for a council tax reduction

    If you believe you are eligible for a discount, exemption or reduction on your council tax then it is important to get in touch with your local council as soon as possible.
     
    Use the links to each London council above to find contact details for your relevant region.
     
    Updated September 2022 by Jeremy Greer

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