Google Trends data shows that in the first few months of 2022, searches relating to council tax are the highest they’ve been in five years. However, this increase is no surprise, with virtually every single local council increasing annual council tax in the past year, with the average band D property rising by around £67.
London-based Estate Agents Douglas & Gordon have looked at what areas of the country are the most and least expensive for council tax and have also looked at what London boroughs are set to see a rise in council tax.
Despite the capital being home to one of the most expensive properties in the UK, London boroughs such as Westminster and Hammersmith & Fulham have some of the lowest council tax rates in the country, with the average monthly cost amounting to £136. This is primarily due to local councils gaining revenue from other sources.
Areas with the lowest council tax
| County | Avg. monthly cost | Annual cost* |
| Greater London | £136 | £1,633 |
| West Midlands | £144 | £1,730 |
| Berkshire | £154 | £1,847 |
| Hampshire | £156 | £1,867 |
| Essex | £156 | £1,870 |
*Average Council Tax per annum for a Band D property
The London Boroughs Expected To See A Rise In Council Tax
According to government figures, council tax will rise in the UK by an average of 3.5% in 2022-2023.
While this is a slight downturn on the average increase of 4% per year since 2015, it is still a significant rise considering the overall cost of living, and 22 of London’s 32 boroughs will see a price hike larger than the national average.
| London Borough | Current
council tax |
Planned Council Tax Increase |
Avg. increase
2022-2023 |
| Merton | £1,709 | 2.23% | £38 |
| Enfield | £1,795 | 2.58% | £46 |
| Barnet | £1,701 | 2.66% | £45 |
| Hammersmith and Fulham | £1,196 | 2.67% | £32 |
| Bromley | £1,692 | 2.67% | £45 |
| Tower Hamlets | £1,477 | 2.92% | £43 |
| Kingston upon Thames | £2,057 | 3.19% | £66 |
| Wandsworth | £845 | 3.21% | £27 |
| Richmond upon Thames | £1,959 | 3.21% | £63 |
| Hillingdon | £1,603 | 3.46% | £55 |
| Kensington and Chelsea | £1,331 | 3.85% | £51 |
| Harrow | £1,962 | 4.06% | £80 |
| Havering | £1,893 | 4.10% | £78 |
| Croydon | £1,888 | 4.11% | £78 |
| Sutton | £1,857 | 4.12% | £77 |
| Waltham Forest | £1,863 | 4.12% | £77 |
| Bexley | £1,847 | 4.13% | £76 |
| Haringey | £1,805 | 4.16% | £75 |
| Redbridge | £1,789 | 4.17% | £75 |
| Brent | £1,742 | 4.20% | £73 |
| Lewisham | £1,744 | 4.20% | £73 |
| Camden | £1,720 | 4.21% | £72 |
| Barking and Dagenham | £1,713 | 4.22% | £72 |
| Hounslow | £1,702 | 4.23% | £72 |
| Ealing | £1,665 | 4.25% | £70 |
| Islington | £1,640 | 4.27% | £70 |
| Greenwich | £1,640 | 4.27% | £70 |
| Hackney | £1,602 | 4.30% | £69 |
| Lambeth | £1,592 | 4.31% | £69 |
| Southwark | £1,528 | 4.37% | £67 |
| City of Westminster | £829 | 4.40% | £36 |
| Newham | £1,467 | 4.43% | £65 |
Last year London council tax increased more than anywhere else, but the story spread over the previous few years is quite different. Since 2015, council tax for the City of London has only increased by 11.2%, while Wiltshire and Greater Manchester have seen a 36.9% and 32.4% increase.
Meaning the average Londoner has paid an average of £1,461 per year since 2015, while those in Greater Manchester paid £1,727. This results in the average Londoner saving £2,128 in council tax since 2015 compared to the average Mancunian.
Three ways to reduce your council tax
- Spread the cost: annual council tax payments are typically spread across ten months, but you can request that they spread across 12 months, lowering the monthly repayments.
- Apply for a reduction: depending on your circumstances, you may be eligible for a discount on your council tax bill –
- Check your council tax band: if you think your property has been put into the wrong band, you can challenge it with your local council.
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