Bands, charges and premiums
Council Tax band overview
All domestic properties are banded in one of eight valuation bands. These range from band A to band H based on the value of the property and determine the amount of Council Tax you pay.
Property bandings are set by the HM Revenue and Customs' Valuation Office Agency (VOA), and not the Council, and valuations are based on the capital value of the properties on 1st April 1991. New properties built since 1st April 1991 are valued as if they also existed in 1991.
As a billing authority we are required to set a Council Tax charge based on band D dwellings each year. Dwellings in other bands are charged at a rate proportionate to the band D charge.
| Valuation Band | Range of Prices | Proportion to Band D |
|---|---|---|
| Band A | Up to and including £40,000 | 6/9 |
| Band B | £40,000 to £52,000 | 7/9 |
| Band C | £52,001 to £68,000 | 8/9 |
| Band D | £68,001 to £88,000 | 1 |
| Band E | £88,001 to £120,000 | 11/9 |
| Band F | £120,001 to £160,000 | 13/9 |
| Band G | £160,001 to £320,000 | 15/9 |
| Band H | More than £320,000 | 2 |
Find your Council Tax band
The amount you pay depends on the valuation band given for your property.
How to request a review of your Council Tax band
In certain circumstances, a Council Tax band can be lowered, for example:
- part of the property is demolished
- there has been a change that has reduced the value of the property, such as a motorway being built nearby
- the property has been incorrectly banded.
If you think that your property is in the wrong Council Tax band, you can ask to have it changed. You will need to contact the local the Local Valuation Office:
Website: www.gov.uk/challenge-council-tax-band
Email: ctonline@voa.gsi.gov.uk
Post:
The Valuation Officer for Derby City Council
Valuation Office Agency
Durham Customer Service Centre
Wycliffe House
Green Lane
Durham
DH1 3UW
Generally, a rise and fall in property prices will not result in the property changing bands.
Charges and information with your bill
| Valuation band | Council Tax 2025/26 |
|---|---|
| Band A | £1,463.83 |
| Band B | £1,707.81 |
| Band C | £1,951.78 |
| Band D | £2,195.75 |
| Band E | £2,683.69 |
| Band F | £3,171.64 |
| Band G | £3,659.58 |
| Band H | £4,391.50 |
The overall increase is 4.2%.
To find out more about Council Tax charges and how the money is spent, view our Council Tax 2025/26 - How your money is spent leaflet.
Addition information is also available:
- Council Tax Explanatory Notes 2025/26
- Council Tax Exemptions 2025/26
- Derbyshire Police and Crime Commissioner leaflet 2025/26
- Council Tax eBilling leaflet 2025
Adult social care precept change
In 2015 councils were given the power to increase Council Tax to pay for social care services for adults. These are services which help people with physical or mental disabilities or mental health needs carry out their daily routines.
Councils were allowed to increase Council Tax to pay for social care, on top of any normal rise in Council Tax. This precept had to be shown separately on the Council Tax bill.
From 1 April 2025 councils no longer have to show the precept separately. Funding for social care is again within the precept for Derby City Council.
Previous years charges
- Council Tax 2024/25 - How your money is spent leaflet
- Council Tax 2023/24 - How your money is spent leaflet
- Council Tax 2022/23 - How your money is spent leaflet
- Council Tax 2021/22 - How your money is spent leaflet
- Council Tax 2020/21 - How your money is spent leaflet
Further help
You may be entitled to Council Tax discounts and exemptions or Council Tax Support depending on your circumstances.
Long term empty homes premium
A long term empty home premium is an additional Council Tax charge placed on some unoccupied and empty properties. For the 2025/26 financial year the following Council Tax charges will apply:
- For properties that have been empty and unoccupied for one year or more, but less than five years an empty property premium of 100%, giving a total Council Tax charge of 200%
- For properties that have been empty and unoccupied for five years or more, but less than 10 years, an empty property premium of 200%, giving a total Council Tax charge of 300%.
- For properties that have been empty and unoccupied for ten years or more, an empty property premium of 300%, giving a total Council Tax charge of 400%.
If you are the new owner of a property that has been unoccupied and empty for a continuous period of five years prior to you taking ownership and it remains unoccupied and empty you will not be charged a premium for 12 months, from the date you become the owner.
Exceptions from premiums
In some cases properties are excepted from a long term empty premiums if they meet the qualifying criteria. The following table details the exceptions that are available and their time limits.
| Exception type | Time limit |
|---|---|
| Empty due to someone residing in armed forces accommodation | Unlimited |
| Annexes being treated as part of the main dwelling | Unlimited |
| Properties marketed for sale or let | 12 months |
| Properties undergoing probate | 12 months |
| Major repairs or structural alterations | 12 months |
Applying for an exception
If you believe you are entitled to an exception from an empty property premium, you will need to contact us and make an application.
You will need to provide supporting evidence depending on the type of exception you are claiming.
Council Tax premium for second homes
From 1 April 2026, Derby City Council will apply a 100% second home premium.
A second home is a property that:
• is furnished, and
• is not lived in as anyone’s main home.
A premium is charged on these properties from the first day they meet this definition.
This supports the Government’s approach to improving housing availability.
Second home premium exceptions and discounts
| Class | Exception type | What this means |
|---|---|---|
| Class E | Armed forces accommodation | A property that would be the owner's main home if they were not living in job-related armed forces accommodation |
| Class F | Annexes | An annexe that forms part of the main property and is used as part of the residents main home |
| Class G | Actively marketed for sale | A second home that is actively for sale, for up to 12 months. This ends if the property is sold, stops being marketed or the 12 month expires |
| Class H | Actively marketed for let | A second home that is actively marketed for rent, for up to 12 months |
| Class I | Probate | A second home left unoccupied following a death, where probate or letters of administration have been granted. The exception lasts for 12 months from the grand date or until the property is sol |
| Class K | Job related dwelling | A second home provided because of the owners employment, such as accommodation required for their role (for example, some care workers or boarding school staff). These properties continue to receive a 50% Council Tax discount |
| Class L | Caravan pitches and boat moorings | An unoccupied caravan pitch or boat mooring classed as a second home. These continue to receive a 50% Council Tax discount |
| Class L (seasonal homes) | Seasonal / restricted use homes | A property that cannot be lived in all year round due to planning restrictions (for example, holiday accommodation). These properties are not charged the premium |
What to do if you believe your property meets an exception
If you believe your property meets one of the exceptions, tell us by emailing council.tax@derby.gov.uk.
Each case is assessed individually and evidence may be required.