South Hams Council Tax Bands, 2026/27 Rates, Pay Online, Reductions & Contact Help
If you live in Totnes, Dartmouth, Kingsbridge, Ivybridge, Salcombe, Modbury, Brixham-side villages, rural South Hams or another parish in the district, this guide explains South Hams Council Tax in simple steps: how to pay online or by phone, how bands A to H work, why your final bill changes by parish, how Council Tax Support can reduce the bill, what to do if you move, and when to contact South Hams District Council for official account action.
🔒 Official South Hams Council Tax Resources
South Hams Council Tax 2026 Guide: What Your Bill Means and What to Check First
South Hams Council Tax is collected by South Hams District Council, but the final bill is made up of several parts. It can include South Hams District Council, Devon County Council, Devon and Cornwall Police, Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue, and your town or parish council charge.
If you searched for “South Hams Council Tax pay”, “South Hams Council Tax bands”, “South Hams Council Tax rates” or “South Hams Council Tax contact”, the key point is this: the South Hams district element is only one part of the bill. The final amount changes by property band and parish, so always compare your latest bill with the official South Hams parish charge PDF.
A practical order is simple: check your Council Tax account number, confirm your band on GOV.UK, check your parish/town area, see whether Council Tax Support or a discount applies, then pay through the official South Hams payment page.
For payment
Use the official South Hams payment page for online payment, Direct Debit, PayPoint/Post Office and phone payment options.
For final rates
Use the South Hams 2026/27 parish-by-parish charge PDF because Dartmouth, Totnes, Kingsbridge, Ivybridge and smaller parishes can differ.
For help
Check Council Tax Support, discounts, exemptions, hardship help and 10 or 12 month instalment choices before arrears start.
South Hams Council Tax Pay Online, Direct Debit, Phone Payment, PayPoint and Bank Transfer
South Hams lets residents pay Council Tax online, set up Direct Debit, use PayPoint or Post Office with the bill barcode, pay by automated phone line, or pay by internet banking using the Council Tax account number as reference.
1Start from the official payment pageUse southhams.gov.uk before entering card or bank details.▾
Open South Hams District Council’s official “How to pay” page. From there you can set up Direct Debit, make an online payment or find a PayPoint location.
Official payment page: How to pay your Council Tax
2Use your Council Tax account number as the referenceThis helps match the payment to your bill.▾
South Hams says your reference number for payment is your Council Tax account number. If you moved recently, use the latest bill, not an old account number.
3Use the automated payment line if paying by phoneHave your account number and card ready.▾
South Hams lists 03300 887 946 as the automated payment line. Keep your card and Council Tax account number ready before calling.
4Use bank transfer only with the exact official detailsWrong reference can delay matching.▾
South Hams publishes Lloyds Bank details on the payment page: account name South Hams District Council, account number 40073168, sort code 30-98-69. Use your Council Tax account number as the reference.
| Payment Method | What You Need | Best For | Practical Tip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Online payment | Council Tax account number and card. | Fast one-off payment. | Save confirmation until your account updates. |
| Direct Debit | Bank details and Council Tax account number. | Regular instalments. | South Hams allows Direct Debit on 1st, 15th or 28th. |
| Phone payment | Card and account number. | Automated phone payment. | Use 03300 887 946. |
| PayPoint / Post Office | Bill with barcode. | Counter payment. | Keep the receipt until the payment appears. |
| Internet banking | Official bank details and account reference. | Bank app users. | Use your Council Tax account number as reference. |
South Hams Council Tax Account, Bill Reference, Instalments and Change of Circumstances
Your South Hams Council Tax bill shows your annual charge, instalment dates, property band, parish area, account number and any discount or support already applied. South Hams says Council Tax is charged daily and annual bills cover the financial year from 1 April.
Check if the bill is original or adjusted
If you moved, claimed support or changed household details, the bill may be recalculated during the year.
Use the latest bill only
Old bills can have old instalments, old parish charges or an account reference that no longer matches your current address.
1Check the bill before payingThis avoids paying the wrong amount or old account.▾
Check your name, property address, band, parish/town area, account reference, instalment dates, support, discount and any previous balance.
2Tell South Hams when circumstances changeBills are adjusted if your circumstances change.▾
Changes such as moving home, another adult moving in, a student leaving, income changing or support ending can change the bill. Report changes early so arrears or overpayments do not build up.
Council Tax services: South Hams Council Tax
South Hams Council Tax Bands A to H, GOV.UK Band Checker and Property Value Ranges
Council Tax bands in South Hams run from A to H. The amount you pay is based on the value band of the home and the number of adults who live there. In England, bands are based on property values at 1 April 1991.
| Band | England Value Range | Ratio to Band D | Practical Use |
|---|---|---|---|
| Band A | Up to £40,000 | 6/9 of Band D | Check support and discounts if income is low. |
| Band B | £40,001 to £52,000 | 7/9 of Band D | Compare with latest bill. |
| Band C | £52,001 to £68,000 | 8/9 of Band D | Common mid-lower band. |
| Band D | £68,001 to £88,000 | 1 | Standard comparison band. |
| Band E | £88,001 to £120,000 | 11/9 of Band D | Higher than Band D. |
| Band F | £120,001 to £160,000 | 13/9 of Band D | Check final parish charge. |
| Band G | £160,001 to £320,000 | 15/9 of Band D | Higher band; check bill carefully. |
| Band H | Over £320,000 | 2 x Band D | Highest English band. |
Official band checker: Check your Council Tax band on GOV.UK
South Hams bands page: Property bands and charges
South Hams Council Tax Rates 2026/27 by Band, District Element and Parish Warning
South Hams says its own Band D district council element for 2026/27 is £202.54. The table below shows the South Hams District Council element only using normal Council Tax band proportions. Your full bill is higher because it includes Devon County Council, police, fire and parish/town council charges.
| Band | South Hams District Element 2026/27 | Approx. 10-Month Instalment | Final Bill Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Band A | £135.03 | £13.50 | Full bill includes county, police, fire and parish. |
| Band B | £157.53 | £15.75 | Check parish PDF for final charge. |
| Band C | £180.04 | £18.00 | Discounts or support may reduce the bill. |
| Band D | £202.54 | £20.25 | Published South Hams district element. |
| Band E | £247.55 | £24.76 | Add all precepting authorities. |
| Band F | £292.56 | £29.26 | Use latest bill for final instalments. |
| Band G | £337.57 | £33.76 | Higher band; check full parish charge. |
| Band H | £405.08 | £40.51 | Two times Band D district element. |
Why South Hams final bills vary
Different towns and parishes can have different local precepts. That is why the council publishes a parish-by-parish charge document.
Why your bill may be lower
Council Tax Support, Single Person Discount, disability reduction, student exemption or other disregards may reduce your personal bill.
2026/27 parish charges PDF: Council Tax charges 2026/27 by parish
Devon County Council tax information: Devon County Council tax
South Hams Council Tax Support, Discounts, Exemptions, Hardship Help and 12-Month Instalments
Before paying the full amount, check whether you qualify for support or a discount. South Hams Council Tax Support guidance says you may need to provide National Insurance number, income proof, two months of bank or building society statements, and evidence of savings or investments.
Single Person Discount
If only one adult is counted as living in the property, the bill may be reduced by 25%.
Council Tax Support
If your income is low, support can reduce the amount you have to pay towards Council Tax.
Instalment help
South Hams says you can pay annual Council Tax by 10 or 12 monthly instalments, and Direct Debit can be on the 1st, 15th or 28th.
1Check Council Tax Support if income is lowSupport can reduce the bill before arrears grow.▾
Use South Hams Council Tax Support guidance if you are on a low income, receiving benefits, retired, unemployed, working but struggling, or your income has recently dropped.
Official page: Council Tax Support
2Prepare evidence before applyingIncomplete evidence can delay help.▾
Prepare National Insurance number, income proof, benefit evidence, two months of bank statements, savings evidence, household details and your Council Tax account information.
3Report changes in circumstancesSupport can change when income or household changes.▾
If your earnings, self-employed income, household, savings or benefits change, report it quickly if you have an active claim.
Change route: Report a change in circumstances
South Hams Council Tax Tips Most Residents Learn Too Late
These checks can help you avoid wrong payments, wrong parish comparisons, delayed support claims, missed instalments and unnecessary contact.
Do not compare only Band D headlines
The South Hams district element is only one part. Use the parish PDF or your bill for the final amount.
Use your account number as payment reference
This is needed for bank payments and helps the council match your payment quickly.
PayPoint needs the barcode
Take your Council Tax bill with barcode if paying at PayPoint or Post Office.
Ask for 12 instalments early
If monthly amounts are too high, a 12-month plan may help spread the annual bill.
Check support before arrears
It is easier to manage a claim before reminders or summons stages begin.
Keep payment proof
Save receipt, online confirmation or bank screenshot until the account updates.
South Hams Council Tax Change of Address, Moving In, Moving Out and Final Bills
If you move into South Hams, move out, or move within the district, update the council quickly. Council Tax is charged daily, so exact move dates, tenancy dates and ownership dates matter.
| Situation | Details to Prepare | Why It Matters |
|---|---|---|
| Moved into South Hams | New address, move-in date, occupiers, tenancy or ownership details. | Creates the correct Council Tax account. |
| Moved out of South Hams | Leaving date, forwarding address and final account details. | Stops bills after you leave. |
| Moved within the district | Old and new addresses with exact dates. | Closes one account and opens another. |
| Another adult moved in | Date and household details. | May affect Single Person Discount. |
| Support circumstances changed | Income, benefits, savings and household changes. | May affect Council Tax Support. |
Official Council Tax services: South Hams Council Tax
South Hams Council Tax Arrears, Missed Instalments, Payment Difficulty and Recovery Stages
If you cannot pay South Hams Council Tax, act early. South Hams explains that annual bills normally show the amount due, instalment dates and due dates, and that Council Tax is normally payable over ten instalments, with an option to request twelve monthly instalments.
1Check whether the bill is correctWrong dates or missing support can create false arrears.▾
Review the property, dates, band, parish, instalments, discounts, support and previous balance. If something is wrong, contact the council with evidence.
2Check 12-month instalments and Direct Debit datesThis can reduce monthly pressure.▾
South Hams says you can pay by 10 or 12 monthly instalments and Direct Debit can be on the 1st, 15th or 28th of each month. Ask early if you need instalments adjusted.
Problems paying page: Problems making payments to your Council Tax account
3Understand what happens if you do not payDo not wait for recovery action.▾
Use South Hams’ official “What happens if I don’t pay?” page to understand bills, instalments, reminders and later recovery steps.
Official arrears page: What happens if I don’t pay?
South Hams Council Tax Contact Number, Payment Line, Bank Details, Address and Online Help
Use the correct South Hams route depending on the task. For payment, use the official payment page or automated payment line. For Council Tax Support, use the support pages. For general Council Tax enquiries, use the council contact page or main customer service number.
| Contact / Resource | Best For | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Council Tax payment page | Online payment, Direct Debit and PayPoint links. | How to pay |
| Automated payment line | Payment by phone. | 03300 887 946 |
| Main customer services | General enquiries and service routing. | 01803 861234 |
| Bank transfer details | Internet banking payments. | Lloyds Bank, South Hams District Council, account 40073168, sort code 30-98-69. Use Council Tax account number as reference. |
| Council Tax Support | Low income support and claim evidence. | Council Tax Support |
| Main council office | Postal/civic reference. | South Hams District Council, Follaton House, Plymouth Road, Totnes, TQ9 5NE |
South Hams Council Tax FAQs
Quick answers for residents searching South Hams Council Tax bands, rates, pay online, phone number, reductions, support, contact details, moving home and arrears help.
How do I pay South Hams Council Tax online?▾
Use South Hams District Council’s official “How to pay” page and choose online payment. Keep your Council Tax account number ready before starting.
What is the South Hams Council Tax payment phone number?▾
South Hams lists 03300 887 946 as the automated payment line for making a Council Tax payment by phone.
What is the South Hams Council Tax contact number?▾
The South Hams payment page lists 01803 861234 as the contact number. Use the official contact page for the best route for your exact issue.
Can I pay South Hams Council Tax by bank transfer?▾
Yes. South Hams publishes Lloyds Bank details on the payment page. Use your Council Tax account number as the payment reference.
What is South Hams Council Tax Band D for 2026/27?▾
South Hams says its own district council Band D element is £202.54 for 2026/27. This is not the full bill because Devon County Council, police, fire and parish/town charges are added.
Why does my South Hams Council Tax differ from another village?▾
The final bill can differ by parish or town council area. South Hams publishes a 2026/27 parish-by-parish charge PDF for this reason.
How do I check my South Hams Council Tax band?▾
Use the GOV.UK Council Tax band checker. Search by address or postcode, then compare with the South Hams charge table for your parish.
Can I claim Council Tax Support in South Hams?▾
Yes, if your income and circumstances qualify. You may need National Insurance number, income proof, bank statements and savings evidence.
Can I pay South Hams Council Tax over 12 months?▾
South Hams says annual Council Tax can be paid by 10 or 12 monthly instalments. Contact the council early if you want to spread payments.
What should I do if I cannot pay South Hams Council Tax?▾
Check your bill, apply for Council Tax Support if income is low, ask about 12 instalments if helpful, pay what you can if possible, and contact the council early.
Is UKCouncilTax.org the official South Hams Council Tax website?▾
No. UKCouncilTax.org is an independent guide. Use South Hams District Council, Devon County Council and GOV.UK pages for payments, claims, account changes and official decisions.