Sunderland Council Tax Rates and Bands 2026/27
Sunderland City Council set its council tax rates for 2026/27 through a Cabinet budget decision, incorporating charges from the council itself, Northumbria Police & Crime Commissioner, and Tyne and Wear Fire & Rescue Authority. Band A — the most common band in the city — comes to £1,251.20 per year before any discounts or reductions.
Annual Charges by Band
Every property in England sits in a valuation band (A through H) based on its estimated value in April 1991. Band A is the starting point, and each higher band is a fixed proportion of Band D:
| Band | Proportion of Band D | Approximate Annual Charge 2026/27 |
|---|---|---|
| A | 6/9 | £1,251.20 |
| B | 7/9 | £1,459.73 |
| C | 8/9 | £1,668.27 |
| D | 9/9 | £1,876.80 |
| E | 11/9 | £2,293.87 |
| F | 13/9 | £2,710.93 |
| G | 15/9 | £3,128.00 |
| H | 18/9 | £3,753.60 |
Sunderland has a high concentration of Band A and B properties, so most residents are looking at the lower end of this table.
What's Included in Your Bill
Your council tax bill bundles three separate charges: Sunderland City Council's own charge (the largest portion, covering local services, education, social care), the police precept (Northumbria Police & Crime Commissioner), and the fire precept (Tyne and Wear Fire & Rescue). The figures above are the combined total.
How Discounts Reduce the Bill
Several statutory discounts apply before any means-tested Council Tax Support:
- Single Person Discount: 25% off if only one adult lives in the property. On a Band A home, that drops the bill from £1,251.20 to about £938.40/year
- Student exemption: properties occupied solely by full-time students pay nothing
- Disabled Band Reduction: homes adapted for a disabled resident's needs are charged at the band below (e.g., Band B charged as Band A)
Council Tax Support is then calculated on the bill remaining after these discounts.
Free Download
Get the Sunderland Council Tax Reduction Checklist
Everything in this article as a printable checklist — plus action plans and reference guides you can start using today.
Spreading Payments Over 12 Months
By default, Sunderland collects council tax over 10 monthly instalments (April to January). You have the statutory right to request 12 monthly instalments instead, spreading payments across all 12 months from April through March. On a Band A property, that reduces the monthly payment from about £125 to about £104 — a useful budget tool if income is tight.
Contact the council on 0191 520 5551 to request the 12-month option.
Empty and Second Home Premiums
Under the Levelling-up and Regeneration Act 2023, Sunderland charges a 100% premium on properties left unoccupied and substantially unfurnished for over one year — doubling the bill. Second homes also attract premium charges. These premiums apply on top of the standard band rate, and no Council Tax Support is available for second properties.
Reducing Your Bill
If you're on a low income or receiving Universal Credit, Sunderland's Council Tax Support scheme can reduce your bill by 20% to 100% depending on your income band. Since April 2025, the council abolished the 8.5% minimum payment that previously capped awards at 91.5%, so the lowest-income residents in Band 1 now pay nothing.
Our Sunderland Council Tax Reduction guide walks through the full eligibility assessment, including the income band thresholds, disregards, and a worked calculator to estimate your discount before you apply.
Get Your Free Sunderland Council Tax Reduction Checklist
Download the Sunderland Council Tax Reduction Checklist — a printable guide with checklists, scripts, and action plans you can start using today.