Southend-on-Sea council tax 2026/27
Band D council tax in Southend-on-Sea is £2,265.17 a year for 2026/27. That's up 5.1% on 2025/26 and £126 less than the England average. Most homes here are in band C: 30% of them.
Band D, 2026/27
£2,265.17 a year
- Council
- Southend-on-Sea
- Type
- Unitary
- Region
- East of England
- Rank
- the 38th cheapest of 296 councils in England
the 3rd cheapest of 45 councils in the East of England - England average
- £2,391.52 Band D
- Figures
- 2026/27, checked 27 October 2026
Southend-on-Sea council tax bands 2026/27
Yearly charge and the usual monthly payment. Councils collect in 10 monthly payments unless you ask for 12. These are averages across the council area; your parish changes the exact figure (see below).
| Band | A year | Monthly, 10 payments | Monthly, 12 payments |
|---|---|---|---|
| Band A | £1,510.11 | £151.01 | £125.84 |
| Band B | £1,761.80 | £176.18 | £146.82 |
| Band C | £2,013.48 | £201.35 | £167.79 |
| Band D | £2,265.17 | £226.52 | £188.76 |
| Band E | £2,768.54 | £276.85 | £230.71 |
| Band F | £3,271.91 | £327.19 | £272.66 |
| Band G | £3,775.28 | £377.53 | £314.61 |
| Band H | £4,530.34 | £453.03 | £377.53 |
Bands as published by the government (area council tax including the average parish precept). Monthly figures divide the year equally; the first payment can differ by a few pence.
Where your council tax goes
A Band D bill in Southend-on-Sea is split between 4 bodies. Southend-on-Sea council's own share is £1,888.47, including £35.97 raised this year for adult social care.
| Set by | Band D | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Southend-on-Sea council | £1,888.47 | 83% |
| Essex Police | £275.31 | 12% |
| Essex PCC- fire and rescue | £92.52 | 4% |
| Parish or town council (average) | £8.87 | 0% |
Homes in each band
40% of the 83,440 homes in Southend-on-Sea are in band A or B, and 7% are in band F or above.
Valuation Office Agency, Council Tax stock of properties, 31 March 2026. Counts are rounded.
Council tax by parish in Southend-on-Sea
1 parish and town councils in Southend-on-Sea add their own charge. Band D without any parish is £2,256.30; add the parish share for your area. Other bands are the same fraction of Band D as above.
| Parish or town council | Parish share | Band D total | Change in parish share |
|---|---|---|---|
| Leigh on Sea | £59.39 | £2,315.69 | +£6.14 |
Parish shares from the government's council tax statistics for town and parish councils, 2026/27.
Discounts and premiums in Southend-on-Sea
Everyone in England 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. Southend-on-Sea also sets its own rules on second and empty homes:
| Second homes | 100% premium: you pay double the normal chargesince 1 April 2025 |
|---|---|
| Long-term empty homes | 100% premium after 1 year; 200% premium after 5 years; 300% premium after 10 years |
| Local discounts | Young care leavers: 100% discount up to age 21 (25 in exceptional circumstances) where only qualifying care leavers live in the property (local policy since 1 April 2020); 25% disregard if a care leaver is the second adult; Council Tax Hardship Policy |
Source: Southend-on-Sea website, checked 27 October 2026.
On a low income? Each English council runs its own Council Tax Reduction scheme for working-age people. Southend-on-Sea Council Tax Reduction.
Band D in Southend-on-Sea over the years
Show the figures
| Year | Band D |
|---|---|
| 2026/27 | £2,265.17 |
| 2025/26 | £2,154.65 |
| 2024/25 | £2,050.00 |
| 2023/24 | £1,953.35 |
| 2022/23 | £1,855.91 |
| 2021/22 | £1,784.70 |
| 2020/21 | £1,717.54 |
| 2019/20 | £1,654.85 |
| 2018/19 | £1,569.37 |
| 2017/18 | £1,499.06 |
| 2016/17 | £1,432.63 |
| 2015/16 | £1,379.76 |
| 2014/15 | £1,353.74 |
| 2013/14 | £1,351.41 |
| 2012/13 | £1,324.36 |
| 2011/12 | £1,319.68 |
| 2010/11 | £1,319.69 |
| 2009/10 | £1,281.48 |
| 2008/09 | £1,231.84 |
| 2007/08 | £1,174.33 |
| 2006/07 | £1,120.14 |
| 2005/06 | £1,068.07 |
| 2004/05 | £1,016.23 |
| 2003/04 | £943.77 |
| 2002/03 | £813.08 |
| 2001/02 | £771.92 |
| 2000/01 | £735.26 |
| 1999/00 | £677.32 |
| 1998/99 | £649.63 |
| 1997/98 | £617.44 |
| 1996/97 | £574.30 |
| 1995/96 | £544.50 |
| 1994/95 | £533.25 |
| 1993/94 | £516.38 |
Band D including the average parish or community precept. 1993/94 to 2026/27.
Nearby councils
| Council | Band D | Difference | Compare |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rochford | £2,363.48 | +£98.31 | Compare |
| Castle Point | £2,318.63 | +£53.46 | 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 Southend-on-Sea?
In 2026/27 Band D is £2,265.17 a year. Bands run from £1,510.11 (Band A) to £4,530.34 (Band H). The exact figure depends on your parish or town council.
How much is Band C council tax a month in Southend-on-Sea?
Band C is £2,013.48 a year: £201.35 a month over 10 payments or £167.79 over 12. Band C is the most common band here (30% of homes).
How much did Southend-on-Sea council tax go up?
Band D rose from £2,154.65 in 2025/26 to £2,265.17 in 2026/27, an increase of 5.1% (£110.52).
Does Southend-on-Sea charge extra council tax on second homes?
Yes. Southend-on-Sea 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 Southend-on-Sea?
You pay Southend-on-Sea council, which collects the whole bill and passes on the shares set by Essex Police, Essex PCC- fire and rescue and Parish or town council. Use the council's own website to pay, check your bill or apply for discounts.
Sources
- Council Tax levels set by local authorities in England 2026 to 2027, Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government, published 25 March 2026, checked 27 October 2026
- 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.