East Lothian Council Tax 2026/27
Band D council tax in East Lothian is £1,697.62 for 2026/27, up 7.5% (£118.44) on last year. That is £44.18 above the Scotland average of £1,653.44 — the 22nd lowest of 32 councils. Most homes here are in Band C (29%), so the average bill per home is about £1,972.
Updated 2026-10-03 · Scottish council · Official Scotland government statistics
East Lothian council tax bands 2026/27
| Band | Property value (1991) | Annual | 10 instalments | 12 instalments | Living alone (−25%) | Homes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| A | Up to £27,000 | £1,131.75 | £113.17 | £94.31 | £848.81 | 1,113 |
| B | £27,001 to £35,000 | £1,320.37 | £132.04 | £110.03 | £990.28 | 9,222 |
| C | £35,001 to £45,000 | £1,509.00 | £150.90 | £125.75 | £1,131.75 | 15,232 |
| D | £45,001 to £58,000 | £1,697.62 | £169.76 | £141.47 | £1,273.22 | 7,207 |
| E | £58,001 to £80,000 | £2,230.48 | £223.05 | £185.87 | £1,672.86 | 7,451 |
| F | £80,001 to £106,000 | £2,758.63 | £275.86 | £229.89 | £2,068.97 | 6,564 |
| G | £106,001 to £212,000 | £3,324.51 | £332.45 | £277.04 | £2,493.38 | 5,401 |
| H | More than £212,000 | £4,159.17 | £415.92 | £346.60 | £3,119.38 | 719 |
- East Lothian
- Scotland average
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East Lothian council tax history
Band D in East Lothian has risen from £1,117.62 in 2016/17 to £1,697.62 in 2026/27 — 52% in 10 years. Over the last five years it rose 30.3%, the 8th biggest increase of 32 councils in Scotland.
- East Lothian Band D
| Year | Band D | Change | Band C |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026/27 | £1,697.62 | +7.5% | £1,509.00 |
| 2025/26 | £1,579.18 | +10.0% | £1,403.72 |
| 2024/25 | £1,435.62 | +0.0% | £1,276.11 |
| 2023/24 | £1,435.62 | +7.0% | £1,276.11 |
| 2022/23 | £1,341.69 | +3.0% | £1,192.61 |
| 2021/22 | £1,302.62 | +0.0% | £1,157.88 |
| 2020/21 | £1,302.62 | +4.8% | £1,157.88 |
| 2019/20 | £1,242.47 | +4.8% | £1,104.42 |
| 2018/19 | £1,185.68 | +3.0% | £1,053.94 |
| 2017/18 | £1,151.15 | +3.0% | £1,023.24 |
| 2016/17 | £1,117.62 | – | £993.44 |
Homes by council tax band in East Lothian
East Lothian has 52,909 homes on the valuation list (chargeable dwellings, September 2025). 20% are in Bands A or B, fewer than in most areas — homes here are concentrated in the middle and upper bands. The most common band is C, which costs £1,509.00 a year (£150.90 a month over 10 instalments).
East Lothian compared with Scotland
East Lothian is the 22nd cheapest of 32 councils in Scotland, where the average Band D across councils is £1,661.92 (£35.70 less than here). Cheapest: South Lanarkshire (£1,468.47); most expensive: Midlothian (£1,816.16).
| Council | Band D 2026/27 | Change |
|---|---|---|
| Aberdeenshire | £1,686.04 | +10% |
| Renfrewshire | £1,690.56 | +7.5% |
| South Ayrshire | £1,694.96 | +8% |
| 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% |
Discounts and reductions
- Living alone: 25% off — a Band C bill in East Lothian drops from £1,509.00 to £1,131.75.
- Council Tax Reduction: East Lothian 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 Lothian's 7.5% 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.
Why East Lothian raised council tax by 7.5%
East Lothian Council raised council tax by 7.5% for 2026/27, to £1,697.62 at Band D. The council says this is about £2.28 a week for an average home. Its main argument is population growth. East Lothian is one of Scotland's fastest-growing council areas, and National Records of Scotland projects its population will rise 27.6% to 143,486 by 2047. Yet the council says it gets the third-lowest government funding per person in Scotland, 93% of the Scottish average.
Council tax brings in about 25% of the council's income, and Scottish Government grants, including business rates, the other 75%. The council gives an example to show the gap. A Band D household pays £1,697.62 in council tax, but the council spends an average of £2,347 per household on primary and secondary education alone. Even after the rise, it had a budget gap of about £13.3 million to close for 2026/27. It is using £2.1 million of reserves to smooth debt charges and planning £13.2 million of efficiencies over five years.
The most common band is C, with 15,232 homes, costing £1,509.00 in council tax this year.
Second homes and empty homes
Councillors agreed at the budget meeting on 20 February 2024 to charge a 100% premium on second homes from 1 April 2024. The council gave seven reasons: to match the charge on long-term empty homes, increase the number of homes lived in, create more affordable housing, push down house prices by adding supply, promote home ownership, support local rental markets, and raise money for frontline services. A Band C second home therefore pays £3,017.99 a year. To check that a home really is a second home, the council may ask for a rough list of dates you stayed there, utility bills showing usage, oil receipts, or airline tickets if you live abroad.
Since 1 April 2025, an unoccupied but furnished home gets 10% off for 12 months, then pays a 100% premium. If it is actively marketed for sale or rent, a further 12 months at the standard charge may be allowed first. A home left empty because the owner or tenant has to live elsewhere for work, including armed forces personnel, can get 50% off the council tax.
Direct debit and phone lines
More than 41,000 East Lothian households pay by direct debit. You can pay over 10 months (April to January) or 12 months (April to March), on the 5th, 16th or last day of the month. The council tax phone lines open only on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays, 9am to 1pm, so the online enquiry form is often quicker. Bands are set by the Lothian Valuation Joint Board.
Frequently asked questions
How much is Band D council tax in East Lothian?
£1,697.62 a year in 2026/27, or £169.76 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 Lothian?
Band C: 15,232 of 52,909 homes (29%). A Band C bill is £1,509.00 in 2026/27.
How much has East Lothian council tax gone up?
7.5% this year, from £1,579.18 to £1,697.62 at Band D. Since 2016/17 it has risen 52%.
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.
How much did East Lothian council tax go up in 2026/27?
7.5%, to £1,697.62 at Band D, about £2.28 a week for an average property.
When are East Lothian council tax phone lines open?
Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays, 9am to 1pm. They are closed on Mondays and Wednesdays.
What direct debit dates does East Lothian offer?
The 5th, 16th or last day of the month, over 10 or 12 instalments.
Does East Lothian charge double council tax on second homes?
Yes. A 100% premium has applied since 1 April 2024, agreed at the budget meeting on 20 February 2024.
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 Lothian Council – The council budget and headline figures 2026/27
- East Lothian Council – Our challenges
- East Lothian Council – Council Tax charges for second homes
- East Lothian Council – 50% discount on your Council Tax
- East Lothian Council – 10% discount on your Council Tax
- East Lothian Council – Pay your Council Tax by Direct Debit