Wandsworth council tax rise 2027: what it means for renters

On 15 September 2026 the council's finance lead set out plans to raise Band D council tax by £958 — 94% — from April 2027. The figures include the Mayor of London's share; the council's own part would almost treble.

The council says the main reason is the government's new funding formula (the “Fair Funding” reforms), which it says cuts its government funding by about £84 million a year. It also points to inflation and rising demand for care and housing, and says it has found £79 million of savings, leaving a gap only higher council tax can fill.

Councils normally can't raise council tax by more than 5% a year without a local referendum. The government has lifted that limit for two years (2027/28 and 2028/29) for a small number of low-tax councils, including Wandsworth, so no referendum is needed.

Bands are fixed fractions of Band D, so every band rises by the same percentage. Approximate yearly bills, rounded:

Figures for two adults, before any discount. Your exact bill may differ slightly. You can find your band on your bill or on GOV.UK.

• You usually pay council tax yourself. If you rent a whole flat or house, the bill is normally in your name, so the rise comes straight out of your pocket — on top of the rent.
• In a shared house where everyone has a separate tenancy, the landlord is usually responsible. If your rent includes bills, check your agreement: a landlord can only raise the rent in the ways the law allows (for most tenancies, a Section 13 notice once a year).
• Live alone? You get 25% off — about £1,484 instead of £1,978 for Band D.
• On a low income? The council says it will widen its council tax reduction scheme for working-age households, though it expects everyone of working age to pay something. Details are due in its consultation.
• Moving to Wandsworth? Budget for the 2027 bill, not today's. On a typical 2-bedroom flat in Band C, that's around £147 a month in council tax from April 2027. With an average 2-bedroom rent of £2,463, that's roughly £2,610 a month before energy, water and broadband.

Not for council tax. Wandsworth would move from the cheapest in England to somewhere in the lower-middle of London: its own share would be around eighth-lowest of London's councils, and still below the London average. Rent is a much bigger cost — see average rents in Wandsworth and how it compares with other boroughs.

• The council is consulting residents and challenging the government's funding settlement, which could still change.
• Full Council sets the 2027/28 council tax in March 2027. Bills for the new rate would go out ahead of April 2027.
• RentScore's cost estimates use this year's official council tax figures. We'll update them once the 2027/28 rate is confirmed.