Council tax
Council tax is one of the largest predictable running costs for homeowners. It is set locally from property bands — with different rules in England, Scotland, and Wales. Scotland’s bill often includes water and sewerage; England and Wales bill those separately. It is easy to focus on the mortgage and forget this line item until the first bill arrives.
A Band D property in many English authorities might be around £2,000–£2,400 a year in 2026/27 — roughly £167–£200 a month. That sits on top of the mortgage and other ownership costs, not inside it.
Discounts apply for single occupancy and some other cases. The band is tied to the property, not your income — so a higher band in the same area can mean hundreds of pounds more each year.
Once you know your band and authority, you can add the annual figure alongside the mortgage repayment, maintenance, and insurance to see the combined monthly housing cost in one place.
Change the inputs on the calculator — price, nation, or buyer type — and see how the numbers respond.
Estimate council tax for your bandThe true cost of owning a home (beyond the mortgage)
The monthly mortgage repayment is usually the biggest housing cost, but it is not the only one. Council tax, buildings insurance, maintenance, and sometimes service charges or ground rent all come out of your budget too. Adding them up gives a clearer picture of what living in the property actually costs.
Read guidePalta Money is for education and planning only. It is not regulated financial advice. Tax rules and rates change; confirm figures with official sources or a qualified adviser before you commit.