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.

If you are in receipt of Council Tax Support, the Government has awarded additional support for households. This sum (maximum award £25.00) will be shown on your Council Tax Bill.

This additional funding is provided by Government to support the most vulnerable households in England. This funding will allow councils to deliver additional support to the 3.8 million households already receiving Council Tax Support.

The funding is for the 2023-24 financial year only.

Fareham's part of the Council Tax increases

Following a consultation with residents living in the Fareham Borough, in early 2023, 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.

The Local Government Finance Settlement 2022 was only for one financial year and once again delayed the details of the Fair Funding Review until at least 2025/26. With the outcome of this review unclear it remains important that the council continues to identify and secure cash-releasing efficiencies in order to maintain the high level of services that are currently provided. This also enables the council to achieve its corporate priority to minimise Council Tax increases.

Despite this increase we have one of the lowest district Council Taxes in the country; this is achieved by running our services more 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, the charge for 2023/24 is £180.46 (£175.22 in 2022/23), an increase of £5.24 or 2.99%.

Council Tax Charges 2023/2024
Band	Full Council Tax	Hampshire County Council	Hampshire County Council Social Care	Hampshire Police & Crime Commissioner	Hampshire Fire & Rescue	Fareham Borough Council	2023 Council Tax - less 25% Single Resident Discount
A	£1.315.07	£845.69	£127.81	£167.64	£53.62	£120.31	£986.30
B	£1,534.25	£986.63	£149.12	£195.58	£62.56	£140.36	£1,150.69
C	£1,753.42	£1,127.58	£170.42	£223.52	£71.49	£160.41	£1,315.07
D	£1,972.60	£1,268.53	£191.72	£251.46	£80.43	£180.46	£1,479.45
E	£2,410.95	£1,550.43	£234.32	£307.34	£98.30	£220.56	£1,808.21
F	£2,849.31	£1,832.32	£276.93	£363.22	£116.18	£260.66	£2,136.98
G	£3,287.67	£2,114.22	£319.53	£419.10	£134.05	£300.77	£2,465.75
H	£3,945.20	£2,537.06	£383.44	£502.92	£160.86	£360.92	£2,958.90

How is your Council tax spent?

Your 2023/2024 Council Tax Guide (previously included with your bill) PDF (436 KB)

Hampshire County Council Budgets, Performance & Spending External Hyperlink

Hampshire County Council Adult Care Precept External Hyperlink

Hampshire Police Precept External Hyperlink

Hampshire & IOW Fire & Rescue Precept External Hyperlink

Council tax FAQs

The answers to frequently asked questions about Council tax increases, and the Council budget. While it is not an exhaustive list, it covers the most commonly asked questions:

Council Tax FAQs

If you would like to access your Council Tax or Business Rates bill via e-mail or view your Council Tax or Business Rates online follow the link below.

Paying your Council Tax

You can pay your Council Tax in several ways and over 10 or 12 months in a normal year. Here you can find you out which one will best suit you. You can also find out what you should do if you are having problems paying and how you can see your bills online.

Are you entitled to discounts and exemptions?

In some circumstances, you may not have to pay the full Council Tax amount you have been asked for. In this section, you can find out about discounts and exemptions and whether you might qualify. It includes links to the Benefits web pages so that if you are on a low income you can see if you might get Council Tax Support.

Are you moving or have your circumstances changed?

It is very important that you let us know if you move into or out of any property or of any chance in your circumstances so that you pay the correct level of Council Tax. We will need evidence of this. In all cases, you must let us know if you are no longer entitled to a discount or an exemption. We will take legal action if anyone makes a fraudulent claim. In this section, you can see more about this.

How is my Council Tax calculated?

How much Council Tax you pay depends on the valuation band your property falls into. Here, you can find out how bands are set and the amount of Council Tax payable for each.

Freeman of the Land and Similar Groups and Challenges to the legality of Council Tax

On occasions we are contacted by residents who refer to themselves as "Freeman of the Land" and similar groups, these groups wrongly believe that using an archaic law means they don't have to pay Council Tax, this belief originates from the many misleading articles and templates on the internet regarding the legality of Council Tax. If you have any concerns over the charging of Council Tax, please seek proper legal advice, rather than relying on internet sources or forum statements which are incorrect or misleading.

Council Tax Privacy Statement (92 KB)

Your information will be used by Fareham Borough Council to administer and calculate your liability to taxes or entitlement to benefits. We have a duty to protect public funds and will use this information for the prevention and detection of fraud, auditing, monitoring, statistical and other research. The information may be shared with third parties (council departments, other councils, government agencies or external agencies). Further information is available in the Council Tax and Business Rate Privacy Notice PDF (92 KB).