Lewisham Council Tax Bands and Rates 2026

2026/27 Rates by Band

Lewisham's total council tax for 2026/27 combines two elements: the borough's own charge (which went up by 4.99% this year) and the Greater London Authority precept. For a Band D property, the full annual bill is £2,237.33.

Here's how the proportions work across the most common bands:

• Band A: roughly two-thirds of the Band D charge
• Band B: roughly seven-ninths of Band D
• Band C: £1,988.74 per year
• Band D: £2,237.33 per year (the reference point)
• Band E: roughly eleven-ninths of Band D
• Band F and above: progressively higher

Your band was set based on the property's estimated value on 1 April 1991 — not what it's worth now. Band A covers properties valued up to £40,000 in 1991; Band D covers £68,001 to £88,000; Band H covers anything above £320,000.

The 4.99% Increase Explained

Lewisham's municipal tax increase for 2026/27 is 4.99%, which is the maximum allowed without triggering a local referendum. The increase applies to Lewisham's portion of the bill only. The GLA precept (Mayor of London's charge) is set separately and added on top.

Of the Band D total of £2,237.33, approximately £1,726.82 goes to Lewisham Council and £510.51 goes to the GLA. The 4.99% increase to Lewisham's portion adds £82.07 a year to a Band D bill. Including the £20.13 rise in the GLA precept, the full bill went up £102.20 from 2025/26.

The council considered reducing the working-age CTR maximum award from 75% to 50% as a budget savings measure (worth about £1 million). Full Council voted that down, keeping the 75% cap for 2026/27.

How Your Bill Breaks Down

Your council tax bill shows the total charge, but the money funds different services. Lewisham's share covers social care, waste collection, housing, children's services, and local infrastructure. The GLA precept covers the Metropolitan Police, London Fire Brigade, and Transport for London.

If you receive Council Tax Reduction, the award credit appears as a deduction on your bill. The remaining amount — your instalments — is what you actually owe. If the 25% Single Person Discount also applies, that appears as a separate line reducing the base charge before CTR is calculated.

Checking Your Band

Your band is shown on your council tax bill and on the Valuation Office Agency (VOA) website. If you think your property is in the wrong band — for example, a neighbouring identical property is in a lower band — you can challenge it through the VOA for free.

A successful challenge can result in your band being lowered, which reduces your liability going forward and may trigger a refund for past overpayment. But be aware that the VOA can also raise your band if they find evidence that it's been too low, so only challenge if you're confident the band is genuinely wrong.

The official challenge route through the VOA is free. Commercial firms that offer to check your band on a contingency fee basis (typically 25-30% of any refund plus VAT) are doing the same thing you can do yourself at no cost.

Estimating Your CTR

Lewisham directs residents to BetterOff for a benefits calculator and application. Independent calculators from Entitledto and Turn2us also give estimates, but they can't issue a binding decision or submit a claim to the council.

For an accurate picture of what you'd receive, the Lewisham Council Tax Reduction guide includes the income calculation worksheet that walks through the exact same steps the council uses: net income, applicable amount, 20% taper, non-dependant deductions, and the 75% cap.

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