The information below explains how your Council Tax is calculated and the various ways in which you might be able to reduce the amount you pay, depending on your income and/or circumstances.

Council Tax Support Discounts and ExemptionsPaying your Council TaxAre you moving?Further Council Tax InformationFreeman of the LandPrivacy Statement  (92 KB)Business Rates

Urgent - Council Tax scam

Please be aware that the Council has received reports of Fareham residents being targeted by fraudulent  text messages and emails claiming that there is no record of their Council Tax payment. These messages are not genuine. Examples of the types of messages being circulated can be viewed on this page (see examples here) 

Residents are urged to remain vigilant when receiving any communication that appears to come from the 'Local Taxation Office', 'Council Revenue Services', or any similar organisation. Fraudsters often use official-sounding names to encourage you to respond or provide personal information.

Find out more here.

Fareham's part of the Council Tax increases

Following a consultation with residents in early 2026, it remains clear that an increase in Council Tax is necessary to ensure that Fareham Borough Council can continue to provide the high standard of services that residents expect. Details of future consultations can be found on our consultation webpage  You can also Find details of how to take part in future consultations here.

The provisional Local Government Finance Settlement and Fair Funding Review 2.0 were announced on 17 December 2025 and confirmed that it would be a one-year settlement for 2026/27 with indication as to funding levels for the two following years through to 2028/29. The Medium-Term Finance Strategy has been updated using these funding indications

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 and the 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.  

In 2025/26, Fareham had the 2nd lowest Council Tax in Hampshire and the 4th lowest Council Tax across all District Councils in England. This is achieved by running our services very efficiently and by careful financial management.

Just over 8.5% of the Council Tax you pay goes towards the services provided by Fareham Borough Council. Fareham's 2026/27 Band D charge of £197.14 (£191.42 in 2025/26) is an increase of £5.72 or 2.99%.

If you want to know the band that a particular property falls into in Fareham, you can inspect the valuation list on our system at the Civic Offices during normal working hours. Alternatively, you can check a property banding on the Valuation Office Agency website .

To see how your Council Tax bill is made up, see Calculation of a Band D Charge and How your Council Tax is Calculated 

Paying for services - further infomation from:

Fareham Borough Council, Council Tax Leaflet 2026/2027 (1 MB)

Hampshire County Council

Council Tax  

Spending Plans  

Hampshire Police & Crime Commissioner 

Council Tax  

Hampshire Fire & Rescue Authority

Council Tax and Budget