East Lothian council tax 2026/27
East Lothian Band D council tax is £1,697.62 for 2026/27, up 7.5% from £1,579.18. Band A is £1,131.75.
- Up 7.5% on 2025/26
- 11th highest of 32 councils with 2026/27 figures
- With water and waste water: £2,349.94
East Lothian council tax charges by band
Council tax plus Scottish Water's water and waste water charges, before any discount.
| Band | Council tax | Water and waste water | Total a year | 10 payments | 12 payments |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Band Aup to £27,000 in 1991 | £1,131.75 | £434.88 | £1,566.63 | £156.66 | £130.55 |
| Band B£27,001 to £35,000 in 1991 | £1,320.37 | £507.36 | £1,827.73 | £182.77 | £152.31 |
| Band C£35,001 to £45,000 in 1991 | £1,508.99 | £579.84 | £2,088.83 | £208.88 | £174.07 |
| Band D£45,001 to £58,000 in 1991 | £1,697.62 | £652.32 | £2,349.94 | £234.99 | £195.83 |
| Band E£58,001 to £80,000 in 1991 | £2,230.47 | £797.28 | £3,027.75 | £302.78 | £252.31 |
| Band F£80,001 to £106,000 in 1991 | £2,758.63 | £942.24 | £3,700.87 | £370.09 | £308.41 |
| Band G£106,001 to £212,000 in 1991 | £3,324.50 | £1,087.20 | £4,411.70 | £441.17 | £367.64 |
| Band Hover £212,000 in 1991 | £4,159.16 | £1,304.64 | £5,463.80 | £546.38 | £455.32 |
Band D in East Lothian compared with the lowest, the average and the highest council
Council tax £1,697.62 plus water and waste water £652.32 a year.
East Lothian Council put council tax up by 7.5% this year. Band D went up £118.44, from £1,579.18 to £1,697.62.
That is about £44 above the Scottish average Band D of £1,653. East Lothian ranks 11th highest of the 32 councils.
A note on last year's figure
The council's 2026/27 charges page describes £1,579.18 as the Scottish average Band D for 2025/26. Its own 2025/26 page shows that was East Lothian's Band D that year. The Scottish average for 2025/26 was £1,543.
Between Edinburgh and Midlothian
East Lothian falls between its two Lothian neighbours. Edinburgh is £71.57 cheaper at Band D, while Midlothian is £118.54 dearer.
Scottish Borders, to the south, charges £79.10 less than East Lothian.
Single adult in a Band C home
A Band C property costs £1,508.99 in council tax for 2026/27. With the 25% single person discount, one adult living alone pays £1,131.74.
Scottish Water's Band C charge, £579.84, is collected on the same bill.
Empty homes and second homes
Homes empty for more than 12 months have paid a 100% premium since 1 April 2025. That means double council tax once a home passes the 12-month mark. Second home owners should check their charge directly with the council.
Paying your bill
Council tax is usually paid in 10 instalments from April to January. At Band D that is £169.76 a month. Ask the council about spreading it over 12.
If your income is low, apply for Council Tax Reduction. It can lower the bill by up to 100%.
Quick answers
- What does Band D cost in East Lothian?
£1,697.62 for 2026/27. A Band D home with water and waste water pays £2,349.94 in total.
- Is East Lothian council tax higher than Edinburgh?
Yes. Edinburgh's Band D of £1,626.05 is £71.57 below East Lothian's.
- Was £1,579.18 the Scottish average Band D for 2025/26?
No. £1,579.18 was East Lothian's own 2025/26 Band D. The Scottish average that year was £1,543.
- What premium do long-term empty homes pay in East Lothian?
Homes empty for more than 12 months pay a 100% premium, double the normal charge. This has applied from 1 April 2025.