Council Tax

Council Tax is your contribution to the many services we provide, such as collecting rubbish and providing housing, as well as providing funds for the police service, the fire service and schools and other services run by Hampshire County Council.

In this section, you can find out more about Council Tax such as how you can pay, how it is set, what happens if you don't pay and whether you can apply for any discounts.

Paying your Council Tax Are you entitled to discounts and exemptions? Are you moving or have your circumstances changed? How is my Council Tax calculated? Freeman of the Land and Similar Groups and Challenges to the legality of Council Tax Council Tax Privacy Statement (92 KB)

Urgent - Council Tax scam

Please be aware that the Council has been informed of Fareham residents receiving fraudulent text messages and emails (see examples here) informing them that there is no record of receiving Council Tax payment.

Please be vigilant to any emails or texts you receive from any individual/organisation pretending to be from the 'Local Taxation Office' and/or 'Council Revenue Services'.

Find out more here.

Fareham's part of the Council Tax increases

Following a consultation with residents living in the Fareham Borough, in early 2025, it has become clear that an increase in Council Tax is necessary to ensure that residents continue to receive the same high level of service they have come to expect. (Find details of how to take part in future consultations here.)

The Fair Funding Review has been deferred until at least the start of the 2026/27 financial year so we will not see any changes arising from this until the 2027/28 financial year and the chances are that finances for District Councils will not benefit from this review mainly due to pressures in other areas such as Adult Social Care and Education.

As well as potential funding reductions we must also plan for other budget pressures that will see spending increase over the next few years. There is an ongoing cost of the homelessness service provision, changing demand for parking income, Hampshire County Council's arrangement for waste & recycling, the emerging waste strategy from central Government, the increasing pressure of maintaining our own assets and managing our woodlands, all of which come at a cost to the Council.  This all comes on top of the current cost of living crisis that has not only seen many households struggle but has also seen this Council experience cost increases due to high inflation.  

Despite this increase, Fareham's part of the Council Tax continues to be one of the lowest district Council Taxes in the country, (in 2024, the 2nd lowest in Hampshire and 4th lowest Nationally).  This is achieved by running our services very efficiently and by careful financial management.

Just over 9% of the total Council Tax you pay goes towards services provided by Fareham Borough Council. Fareham must set its Council Tax @ Band D and all the other Bands are calculated from this sum. 

The charge for 2025/26 is £191.42 (£185.86 in 2024/25), a total increase of £5.56 for 2025/2026 or 2.99%.  

Hampshire County Council - There is no longer a requirement to show the adult social care precept separately, it is now included within the Hampshire County Council precept above