Watford council tax 2026/27
Band D council tax in Watford is £2,446.70 a year for 2026/27. That's up 4.4% on 2025/26 and £55 more than the England average. Most homes here are in band C: 37% of them.
Band D, 2026/27
£2,446.70 a year
- Council
- Watford
- Type
- Shire district
- Region
- East of England
- Rank
- the 142nd most expensive of 296 councils in England
the 15th most expensive of 45 councils in the East of England - England average
- £2,391.52 Band D
- Figures
- 2026/27, checked 27 October 2026
Watford council tax bands 2026/27
Yearly charge and the usual monthly payment. Councils collect in 10 monthly payments unless you ask for 12.
| Band | A year | Monthly, 10 payments | Monthly, 12 payments |
|---|---|---|---|
| Band A | £1,631.13 | £163.11 | £135.93 |
| Band B | £1,902.99 | £190.30 | £158.58 |
| Band C | £2,174.84 | £217.48 | £181.24 |
| Band D | £2,446.70 | £244.67 | £203.89 |
| Band E | £2,990.41 | £299.04 | £249.20 |
| Band F | £3,534.12 | £353.41 | £294.51 |
| Band G | £4,077.83 | £407.78 | £339.82 |
| Band H | £4,893.40 | £489.34 | £407.78 |
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 Watford is split between 3 bodies. Watford council's own share is £308.51.
| Set by | Band D | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Watford council | £308.51 | 13% |
| Hertfordshire County Council | £1,858.19 | 76% |
| Hertfordshire Police and Crime Commissioner | £280.00 | 11% |
Homes in each band
11% of the 43,440 homes in Watford are in band A or B, and 10% are in band F or above.
Valuation Office Agency, Council Tax stock of properties, 31 March 2026. Counts are rounded.
Discounts and premiums in Watford
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. Watford also sets its own rules on second and empty homes:
| Second homes | 100% premium: you pay double the normal chargesince 1 April 2026 |
|---|---|
| Long-term empty homes | 100% premium after 1 year; 200% premium after 5 years; 300% premium after 10 years |
Source: Watford website, checked 27 October 2026.
On a low income? Each English council runs its own Council Tax Reduction scheme for working-age people. Watford Council Tax Reduction.
Band D in Watford over the years
Show the figures
| Year | Band D |
|---|---|
| 2026/27 | £2,446.70 |
| 2025/26 | £2,343.38 |
| 2024/25 | £2,236.30 |
| 2023/24 | £2,134.48 |
| 2022/23 | £2,034.72 |
| 2021/22 | £1,961.87 |
| 2020/21 | £1,885.79 |
| 2019/20 | £1,816.17 |
| 2018/19 | £1,746.92 |
| 2017/18 | £1,652.67 |
| 2016/17 | £1,583.46 |
| 2015/16 | £1,538.75 |
| 2014/15 | £1,516.49 |
| 2013/14 | £1,516.49 |
| 2012/13 | £1,516.49 |
| 2011/12 | £1,516.49 |
| 2010/11 | £1,516.49 |
| 2009/10 | £1,515.15 |
| 2008/09 | £1,468.79 |
| 2007/08 | £1,409.20 |
| 2006/07 | £1,347.63 |
| 2005/06 | £1,292.91 |
| 2004/05 | £1,239.03 |
| 2003/04 | £1,173.92 |
| 2002/03 | £1,017.08 |
| 2001/02 | £926.49 |
| 2000/01 | £873.75 |
| 1999/00 | £831.51 |
| 1998/99 | £768.30 |
| 1997/98 | £700.73 |
| 1996/97 | £666.47 |
| 1995/96 | £625.50 |
| 1994/95 | £609.75 |
| 1993/94 | £570.38 |
Band D including the average parish or community precept. 1993/94 to 2026/27.
Nearby councils
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 Watford?
In 2026/27 Band D is £2,446.70 a year. Bands run from £1,631.13 (Band A) to £4,893.40 (Band H).
How much is Band C council tax a month in Watford?
Band C is £2,174.84 a year: £217.48 a month over 10 payments or £181.24 over 12. Band C is the most common band here (37% of homes).
How much did Watford council tax go up?
Band D rose from £2,343.38 in 2025/26 to £2,446.70 in 2026/27, an increase of 4.4% (£103.32).
Does Watford charge extra council tax on second homes?
Yes. Watford 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 Watford?
You pay Watford council, which collects the whole bill and passes on the shares set by Hertfordshire County Council and Hertfordshire Police and Crime Commissioner. 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.