Council tax band I
In Wales, Council tax band I sits at the top. England and Scotland don't have it. Homes valued above £424,000 at 2003 prices fall into this band.
- band I bill, average for Wales, 2026/27
- £5,327
- band I homes in Wales
- 5,670
- of the charge for Band D
- 21/9
Why band I applies to Wales only
Using prices from 1 April 2003, Wales revalued all its homes. That created a new top band (Welsh Government). Values from 1991 are still in use in England and Scotland.
For financial years from 1 April 2005, the law has set nine Welsh bands (1992 Act, section 5).
How many band I homes are there?
The smallest band in Wales is band I. On 31 March 2025, 5,670 homes were in the band, a mere 0.4% of all Welsh homes (VOA stock of properties).
What council tax band I costs in 2026/27
For every 9 parts paid by Band D, band I pays 21 (section 5). So that works out at roughly 2.33 times Band D.
The Welsh average for Band D is £2,283 (Welsh Government figures), so a band I bill typically runs to about £5,327 a year.
The lowest band I charge is in Cardiff, at £4,697.42. The highest is in Merthyr Tydfil, at £6,051.73. You can find all 22 councils on council tax by council.
| Nation | Lowest three band I bills | Highest three band I bills |
|---|---|---|
| Wales | Cardiff £4,697.42; Caerphilly £4,860.05; Newport £4,873.12 | Merthyr Tydfil £6,051.73; Neath Port Talbot £5,929.91; Blaenau Gwent £5,906.27 |
Comparing band I with band H
Homes valued from £324,001 to £424,000 fall under Welsh band H. Every home valued above that range falls into band I (Valuation Office guidance).
Band I pays 21 ninths of Band D, while band H pays 18 ninths. One sixth is added to the bill when you move up out of band H and into I.
Support for your band I bill
If your income is low, Council Tax Reduction can cut your Band I council tax.
Think your band is wrong? You can challenge it through the Valuation Office. Once a proposal has been decided, you usually get 4 months in Wales to appeal (GOV.UK challenge guide). Start with the band appeal steps.