West Lothian Council Tax 2026/27
Band D council tax in West Lothian is £1,627.59 for 2026/27, up 7.4% (£112.14) on last year. That is £25.85 below the Scotland average of £1,653.44 — the 11th lowest of 32 councils. Most homes here are in Band B (29%), so the average bill per home is about £1,619.
Updated 2026-10-03 · Scottish council · Official Scotland government statistics
West Lothian council tax bands 2026/27
| Band | Property value (1991) | Annual | 10 instalments | 12 instalments | Living alone (−25%) | Homes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| A | Up to £27,000 | £1,085.06 | £108.51 | £90.42 | £813.80 | 16,799 |
| B | £27,001 to £35,000 | £1,265.90 | £126.59 | £105.49 | £949.43 | 24,561 |
| C | £35,001 to £45,000 | £1,446.75 | £144.67 | £120.56 | £1,085.06 | 10,849 |
| D | £45,001 to £58,000 | £1,627.59 | £162.76 | £135.63 | £1,220.69 | 9,622 |
| E | £58,001 to £80,000 | £2,138.47 | £213.85 | £178.21 | £1,603.85 | 10,724 |
| F | £80,001 to £106,000 | £2,644.83 | £264.48 | £220.40 | £1,983.63 | 7,815 |
| G | £106,001 to £212,000 | £3,187.36 | £318.74 | £265.61 | £2,390.52 | 3,406 |
| H | More than £212,000 | £3,987.60 | £398.76 | £332.30 | £2,990.70 | 203 |
- West Lothian
- Scotland average
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West Lothian council tax history
Band D in West Lothian has risen from £1,128.00 in 2016/17 to £1,627.59 in 2026/27 — 44% in 10 years. Over the last five years it rose 27.5%, the 16th biggest increase of 32 councils in Scotland.
- West Lothian Band D
| Year | Band D | Change | Band B |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026/27 | £1,627.59 | +7.4% | £1,265.90 |
| 2025/26 | £1,515.45 | +8.9% | £1,178.68 |
| 2024/25 | £1,390.96 | +0.0% | £1,081.86 |
| 2023/24 | £1,390.96 | +5.8% | £1,081.86 |
| 2022/23 | £1,314.71 | +3.0% | £1,022.55 |
| 2021/22 | £1,276.42 | +0.0% | £992.77 |
| 2020/21 | £1,276.42 | +4.8% | £992.77 |
| 2019/20 | £1,217.49 | +4.8% | £946.94 |
| 2018/19 | £1,161.84 | +3.0% | £903.65 |
| 2017/18 | £1,128.00 | +0.0% | £877.33 |
| 2016/17 | £1,128.00 | – | £877.33 |
Homes by council tax band in West Lothian
West Lothian has 83,979 homes on the valuation list (chargeable dwellings, September 2025). 49% are in Bands A or B. The most common band is B, which costs £1,265.90 a year (£126.59 a month over 10 instalments).
West Lothian compared with Scotland
West Lothian is the 11th cheapest of 32 councils in Scotland, where the average Band D across councils is £1,661.92 (£34.33 more than here). Cheapest: South Lanarkshire (£1,468.47); most expensive: Midlothian (£1,816.16).
| Council | Band D 2026/27 | Change |
|---|---|---|
| Scottish Borders | £1,618.52 | +8.5% |
| East Renfrewshire | £1,620.15 | +6% |
| City of Edinburgh | £1,626.05 | +4% |
| West Lothian | £1,627.59 | +7.4% |
| Highland | £1,633.99 | +7% |
| Orkney Islands | £1,669.07 | +6% |
| Perth & Kinross | £1,673.84 | +8.9% |
Discounts and reductions
- Living alone: 25% off — a Band B bill in West Lothian drops from £1,265.90 to £949.43.
- Council Tax Reduction: West 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.
West Lothian's 7.4% 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.
Where West Lothian's 7.4% rise goes
West Lothian agreed a 7.4% rise for 2026/27, taking Band D from £1,515.45 to £1,627.59. That is £112.14 a year or £2.16 a week. The council says 62% of households are in Bands A to C, where the weekly rise is smaller: £1.44 at Band A and £1.92 at Band C. Before the rise, West Lothian had the 9th lowest council tax of Scotland's 32 councils.
Most of the extra money supports services in general. The rise also lets the council target nearly £4 million at two areas. The first is adult and older people's social care, as West Lothian has one of the fastest-growing older populations in Scotland. The second is roads, with £2 million over two years for potholes. Council tax funds under 20% of council services; Scottish Government grant funds about 80%. In the WL2028 consultation, 52% of respondents backed a council tax rise if the money went to key services.
Empty and second homes in West Lothian
Long-term empty homes in West Lothian have paid double council tax since 1 April 2018, when the old 10% reduction ended. Second homes, defined as furnished homes used at least 25 days a year, have paid double since 1 April 2024. Either way, a Band D home pays £3,255.18 in council tax. Water and waste water are not doubled.
If an empty home is actively marketed for sale or let, the owner may get a 50% reduction for up to 24 months from when it was last lived in. The council will also rent an empty home from its owner with a guaranteed rent and no void periods for at least 12 months, or may buy it if it meets the criteria. National Records of Scotland counted 63 second homes and 612 long-term empty homes in September 2025, both under 1% of dwellings.
A fast-growing council area
West Lothian's housing stock grew 10.8% between 2015 and 2025, to 86,258 dwellings. That is the fifth-fastest growth of Scotland's 32 councils and well above the national 7.8%. New homes add to the council tax base each year. In 2024-25 the council collected 96.7% of bills in the year, above the Scottish average of 95.5%.
Frequently asked questions
How much is Band D council tax in West Lothian?
£1,627.59 a year in 2026/27, or £162.76 a month over 10 instalments. Water and sewerage charges from Scottish Water are billed on top.
What council tax band are most homes in West Lothian?
Band B: 24,561 of 83,979 homes (29%). A Band B bill is £1,265.90 in 2026/27.
How much has West Lothian council tax gone up?
7.4% this year, from £1,515.45 to £1,627.59 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.
How much did West Lothian council tax go up per week?
£2.16 at Band D, £112.14 a year. Bands A to C rise by less.
Do empty homes pay double council tax in West Lothian?
Yes, since April 2018. Owners actively marketing a home can apply for a 50% reduction for up to 24 months from when it was last lived in.
What is the extra West Lothian council tax spent on?
Services in general, plus nearly £4 million targeted at adult and older people's social care and pothole repairs.
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)
- West Lothian Council – Council Tax to increase by 7.4%
- West Lothian Council – Second Homes
- West Lothian Council – Empty Homes
- National Records of Scotland: Households and Dwellings in Scotland, 2025 (tables 5 and 6c)
- Scottish Government: Council Tax Collection Statistics, 2024-25