East Lothian council tax 2026/27
Band D council tax in East Lothian is £1,697.62 a year for 2026/27, plus £652.32 for water and sewerage. That's up 7.5% on 2025/26 and £44 more than the Scotland average. Most homes here are in band C: 29% of them.
Band D, 2026/27, with water and sewerage
£2,349.94 a year
- Council
- East Lothian Council
- Type
- Scottish council
- Nation
- Scotland
- Rank
- the 11th most expensive of 32 councils in Scotland
- Scotland average
- £1,653.44 Band D
- Figures
- 2026/27, checked 27 October 2026
East Lothian council tax bands 2026/27
Council tax plus Scottish Water's water and sewerage charges, which the council collects on the same bill. Scottish councils collect in 10 monthly payments (May to February) unless you agree 12.
| Band | Council tax | Water and sewerage | Total a year | Monthly, 10 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Band A | £1,131.75 | £434.88 | £1,566.63 | £156.66 |
| Band B | £1,320.37 | £507.36 | £1,827.73 | £182.77 |
| Band C | £1,509.00 | £579.84 | £2,088.84 | £208.88 |
| Band D | £1,697.62 | £652.32 | £2,349.94 | £234.99 |
| Band E | £2,230.48 | £797.28 | £3,027.76 | £302.78 |
| Band F | £2,758.63 | £942.24 | £3,700.87 | £370.09 |
| Band G | £3,324.51 | £1,087.20 | £4,411.71 | £441.17 |
| Band H | £4,159.17 | £1,304.64 | £5,463.81 | £546.38 |
Council tax bands as published by the Scottish Government; water and sewerage charges set by Scottish Water and the same across Scotland. Monthly figures divide the year equally; the first payment can differ by a few pence.
Where your council tax goes
In Scotland the council keeps the whole council tax; police and fire are funded nationally. Water and sewerage (£652.32 at Band D) go to Scottish Water.
Homes in each band
20% of the 52,909 homes in East Lothian are in band A or B, and 24% are in band F or above.
Scottish Government, dwellings by council tax band, 1 September 2025. Counts are rounded.
Discounts and premiums in East Lothian
Everyone in Scotland gets the national discounts: 25% off if you live alone, nothing to pay for all-student homes, and one band lower if your home has been adapted for a disabled person. How discounts work. East Lothian also sets its own rules on second and empty homes:
| Second homes | 100% premium: you pay double the normal chargesince 1 April 2024 |
|---|---|
| Long-term empty homes | 100% premium after 1 year |
| Local discounts | Unoccupied and unfurnished: 6 months exemption then 10% discount for 6 months before the premium; Unoccupied but furnished: 10% discount for 12 months before the premium; Up to 12 further months at standard charge (no premium) if actively marketed for sale or rent; 10% discount for long-term empty properties undergoing structural repair after the 12-month exemption |
Source: East Lothian Council website, checked 27 October 2026.
On a low income? Scotland has a national Council Tax Reduction scheme, run by each council. East Lothian Council Tax Reduction.
Band D in East Lothian over the years
Show the figures
| Year | Band D |
|---|---|
| 2026/27 | £1,697.62 |
| 2025/26 | £1,579.18 |
| 2024/25 | £1,435.62 |
| 2023/24 | £1,435.62 |
| 2022/23 | £1,341.69 |
| 2021/22 | £1,302.62 |
| 2020/21 | £1,302.62 |
| 2019/20 | £1,242.47 |
| 2018/19 | £1,185.68 |
| 2017/18 | £1,151.15 |
| 2016/17 | £1,117.62 |
| 2015/16 | £1,117.62 |
| 2014/15 | £1,117.62 |
| 2013/14 | £1,117.62 |
| 2012/13 | £1,117.62 |
| 2011/12 | £1,117.62 |
| 2010/11 | £1,117.62 |
| 2009/10 | £1,117.62 |
| 2008/09 | £1,117.62 |
| 2007/08 | £1,117.62 |
| 2006/07 | £1,095.66 |
| 2005/06 | £1,068.93 |
| 2004/05 | £1,042.83 |
| 2003/04 | £993.15 |
| 2002/03 | £954.90 |
| 2001/02 | £909.45 |
| 2000/01 | £858.00 |
| 1999/00 | £789.00 |
| 1998/99 | £760.00 |
| 1997/98 | £724.00 |
| 1996/97 | £670.00 |
Band D council tax, excluding water and sewerage. 1996/97 to 2026/27.
Nearby councils
| Council | Band D | Difference | Compare |
|---|---|---|---|
| Scottish Borders | £1,618.52 | −£79.10 | Compare |
| Midlothian | £1,816.16 | +£118.54 | Compare |
| Edinburgh | £1,626.05 | −£71.57 | Compare |
Pay, check your band or apply for a discount
This site is independent. To pay, see your exact bill, tell the council you've moved or apply for a discount, use the council's own site.
Questions
How much is council tax in East Lothian?
In 2026/27 Band D is £1,697.62 a year in council tax, or £2,349.94 with Scottish Water's water and sewerage charges. Bands run from £1,131.75 (Band A) to £4,159.17 (Band H).
How much is Band C council tax a month in East Lothian?
Band C is £2,088.84 a year including water and sewerage: £208.88 a month over 10 payments or £174.07 over 12. Band C is the most common band here (29% of homes).
How much did East Lothian council tax go up?
Band D rose from £1,579.18 in 2025/26 to £1,697.62 in 2026/27, an increase of 7.5% (£118.44).
Does East Lothian charge extra council tax on second homes?
Yes. East Lothian charges a 100% premium on second homes in 2026/27, so the owner pays 200% of the normal charge.
Who do I pay council tax to in East Lothian?
You pay East Lothian Council, which collects the whole bill. Use the council's own website to pay, check your bill or apply for discounts.
Sources
- Council Tax by band 2026-27 (Council Tax datasets, Scottish Government; from the Council Tax Assumptions 2026 statistical return), Scottish Government, published 31 March 2026, checked 27 October 2026
- Scottish Water: Unmetered Charges 2026-27, Scottish Water
- Council Tax: stock of properties, 2026 - CTSOP1.1: number of properties by Council Tax band, local authority and LSOA/MSOA at 31 March 2026 (geography = LAUA rows), Valuation Office Agency, checked 27 October 2026
- Council website (premiums and discounts), checked 27 October 2026
Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. How we compile these figures.