East Ayrshire Council Tax 2026/27
Band D council tax in East Ayrshire is £1,717.28 for 2026/27, up 6.9% (£110.84) on last year. That is £63.84 above the Scotland average of £1,653.44 — the 25th lowest of 32 councils. Most homes here are in Band A (42%), so the average bill per home is about £1,564.
Updated 2026-10-03 · Scottish council · Official Scotland government statistics
East Ayrshire council tax bands 2026/27
| Band | Property value (1991) | Annual | 10 instalments | 12 instalments | Living alone (−25%) | Homes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| A | Up to £27,000 | £1,144.85 | £114.49 | £95.40 | £858.64 | 24,798 |
| B | £27,001 to £35,000 | £1,335.66 | £133.57 | £111.31 | £1,001.75 | 9,101 |
| C | £35,001 to £45,000 | £1,526.47 | £152.65 | £127.21 | £1,144.85 | 5,739 |
| D | £45,001 to £58,000 | £1,717.28 | £171.73 | £143.11 | £1,287.96 | 7,120 |
| E | £58,001 to £80,000 | £2,256.32 | £225.63 | £188.03 | £1,692.24 | 6,880 |
| F | £80,001 to £106,000 | £2,790.58 | £279.06 | £232.55 | £2,092.94 | 3,899 |
| G | £106,001 to £212,000 | £3,363.01 | £336.30 | £280.25 | £2,522.26 | 1,074 |
| H | More than £212,000 | £4,207.34 | £420.73 | £350.61 | £3,155.50 | 49 |
- East Ayrshire
- Scotland average
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East Ayrshire council tax history
Band D in East Ayrshire has risen from £1,188.99 in 2016/17 to £1,717.28 in 2026/27 — 44% in 10 years. Over the last five years it rose 24.9%, the 26th biggest increase of 32 councils in Scotland.
- East Ayrshire Band D
| Year | Band D | Change | Band A |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026/27 | £1,717.28 | +6.9% | £1,144.85 |
| 2025/26 | £1,606.44 | +8.0% | £1,070.96 |
| 2024/25 | £1,487.44 | +0.0% | £991.63 |
| 2023/24 | £1,487.44 | +5.0% | £991.63 |
| 2022/23 | £1,416.61 | +3.0% | £944.41 |
| 2021/22 | £1,375.35 | +0.0% | £916.90 |
| 2020/21 | £1,375.35 | +4.8% | £916.90 |
| 2019/20 | £1,311.86 | +4.0% | £874.57 |
| 2018/19 | £1,261.40 | +3.0% | £840.93 |
| 2017/18 | £1,224.66 | +3.0% | £816.44 |
| 2016/17 | £1,188.99 | – | £792.66 |
Homes by council tax band in East Ayrshire
East Ayrshire has 58,660 homes on the valuation list (chargeable dwellings, September 2025). 58% are in Bands A or B, so for most households the real bill is well below the Band D figure. The most common band is A, which costs £1,144.85 a year (£114.49 a month over 10 instalments).
East Ayrshire compared with Scotland
East Ayrshire is the 25th cheapest of 32 councils in Scotland, where the average Band D across councils is £1,661.92 (£55.36 less than here). Cheapest: South Lanarkshire (£1,468.47); most expensive: Midlothian (£1,816.16).
| Council | Band D 2026/27 | Change |
|---|---|---|
| East Lothian | £1,697.62 | +7.5% |
| Glasgow City | £1,706.00 | +5.9% |
| Falkirk | £1,715.09 | +8.8% |
| East Ayrshire | £1,717.28 | +6.9% |
| Dundee City | £1,729.69 | +7.7% |
| Moray | £1,731.14 | +10% |
| Aberdeen City | £1,747.54 | +6.8% |
Discounts and reductions
- Living alone: 25% off — a Band A bill in East Ayrshire drops from £1,144.85 to £858.64.
- Council Tax Reduction: East Ayrshire runs its own scheme for people on low incomes or benefits under the national Scottish rules.
- Disregards and exemptions: full-time students, student halls, some carers and people with a severe mental impairment are not counted; all-student homes pay nothing.
- Disabled Band Reduction: if your home has been adapted for a disabled person you may be billed one band lower.
East Ayrshire's 6.9% rise compares with a Scotland average of about 7.1%. Scottish councils set their own rates, and water and sewerage charges are added on top.
Most East Ayrshire homes pay the Band A rate
East Ayrshire's Band D charge rose 6.9% for 2026/27, to £1,717.28. That follows a 8.0% rise in 2025/26 after the 2024/25 freeze. Band D is not what most households pay, though. 24,798 of the council's 58,660 chargeable homes (42%) are in Band A, which costs £1,144.85 this year. With Band B added, that is roughly six in ten homes.
Bands are set by the Ayrshire Valuation Joint Board, which also covers North and South Ayrshire. If you think your band is wrong, contact the Board. You must keep paying while an appeal is decided.
| Band | Council tax 2026/27 | Per month (10 instalments) |
|---|---|---|
| A | £1,144.85 | £114.49 |
| B | £1,335.66 | £133.57 |
| C | £1,526.47 | £152.65 |
| D | £1,717.28 | £171.73 |
Council Tax Reduction also cuts your water bill
Council Tax Reduction is means-tested under the Scottish national scheme. In East Ayrshire, as across Scotland, it also brings an automatic reduction in the Scottish Water charges on your bill. Households with full Council Tax Reduction get 35% off water and waste water, and partial entitlement gives a proportionally smaller cut, worked out daily. You do not need to apply separately. If your home uses a septic tank or private water supply, you may not have to pay one or both water charges. Call the Revenues and Benefits team on 01563 554400.
Second homes and long-term empty homes
East Ayrshire started doubling council tax on second homes from 1 July 2024, three months after the new Scottish power took effect, and sent revised bills to owners. On a Band B home that is £2,671.32 a year. New owners of a second home who can show it is being repaired or renovated may get a grace period of up to six months.
Since 1 October 2018, a home empty for more than 12 months gets no discount or exemption. A 100% levy (double council tax) applies unless it is being marketed for sale or rent or undergoing structural repairs. Holiday homes, purpose-built holiday homes and job-related accommodation are excluded. For homes bought on or after 1 April 2024, new owners automatically get a six-month grace period before the levy, up from three months. Neither premium applies to water and waste water charges.
Paying
Unless you pay by direct debit, instalments are due on the 1st of each month from April to January, or you can pay the year in full by 1 April. Direct debits can be taken on the 1st, 15th or 28th, over 10 or 12 months, and can be set up by phone even if you are in arrears. Standing orders can only be paid on the 1st, and setting one up is your responsibility. Online card payments can also be made by PayPal at no charge.
Frequently asked questions
How much is Band D council tax in East Ayrshire?
£1,717.28 a year in 2026/27, or £171.73 a month over 10 instalments. Water and sewerage charges from Scottish Water are billed on top.
What council tax band are most homes in East Ayrshire?
Band A: 24,798 of 58,660 homes (42%). A Band A bill is £1,144.85 in 2026/27.
How much has East Ayrshire council tax gone up?
6.9% this year, from £1,606.44 to £1,717.28 at Band D. Since 2016/17 it has risen 44%.
How do I find my council tax band?
Search your address on the Scottish Assessors website (saa.gov.uk). You can appeal within six months of moving in.
When did East Ayrshire start charging double on second homes?
From 1 July 2024. Second homes pay 200% council tax. Water and waste water charges are not doubled.
Does Council Tax Reduction reduce water charges in East Ayrshire?
Yes. Full Council Tax Reduction gives an automatic 35% reduction on Scottish Water charges, and partial awards give a smaller reduction.
What direct debit dates does East Ayrshire offer?
The 1st, 15th or 28th of the month, over 10 or 12 months.
Sources
Figures are taken from official government publications and were last reviewed on 2026-10-03.
- Scottish Government: Council Tax by band 2026-27 (XLSX)
- Scottish Government: Council Tax by band 2025-26 (XLSX), used for Scotland % change
- VOA / GOV.UK: Understand how Council Tax bands are assessed
- GOV.UK: Council Tax – who has to pay (single person discount)
- legislation.gov.uk: Council Tax (Substitution of Proportion) (Scotland) Order 2016
- Scottish Government: Number of chargeable dwellings, September 2025 (CTAXBASE 2025)
- East Ayrshire Council – Council Tax bands and charges
- East Ayrshire Council – Council Tax premium
- East Ayrshire Council – Ways to pay your Council Tax
- Ayrshire Assessor (Scottish Assessors Association)
- East Ayrshire Council – About Council Tax