Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole Council Tax 2026 Bands, Charges, Payment & Online Account
A practical BCP Council Tax guide for residents in Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole who need to check 2026/27 bands, compare parish and unparished charges, pay online, set up Direct Debit, sign in to check Council Tax online, apply for discounts or Council Tax Support, or get help with arrears.
🔒 Official BCP Council Tax Resources
BCP Council Tax 2026 Guide for Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole
BCP Council Tax is the household charge collected by Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole Council. Your bill helps fund BCP Council services, Dorset Police, Dorset & Wiltshire Fire and Rescue, and local parish or town councils where a parish charge applies.
The important 2026 point is that BCP Council has increased Council Tax for 2026/27 by 6.74%. For an unparished Band D property, the total bill is £2,399.99 before any discount, exemption, Council Tax Support, arrears or account adjustment.
This guide explains the official bands, charges, payment routes, online account, parish differences and support options in simple English. It is not BCP Council and cannot access your account, so always use official BCP Council or GOV.UK pages for payments, applications and legal decisions.
Band decides the base charge
Every domestic property is placed in Band A to H by the Valuation Office Agency based on 1 April 1991 value.
Parish can change the total
Bournemouth Town, Christchurch Town, Poole Town and other parish areas can add an extra parish/town charge.
Support may reduce the bill
Single person discount, student exemptions, disabled reductions and Council Tax Support can reduce what you pay.
Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole Council Tax Bands A to H for 2026
BCP Council confirms that Council Tax bands are set by the Valuation Office Agency. The band is based on the open market capital value of the property on 1 April 1991, not the current selling price.
| Band | 1991 Property Value | Quick Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Band A | Up to and including £40,000 | Lowest Council Tax band. |
| Band B | £40,001 to £52,000 | Use GOV.UK to confirm exact band. |
| Band C | £52,001 to £68,000 | Compare with official BCP charge table. |
| Band D | £68,001 to £88,000 | Standard benchmark band. |
| Band E | £88,001 to £120,000 | Higher than Band D. |
| Band F | £120,001 to £160,000 | Check discounts before assuming full amount. |
| Band G | £160,001 to £320,000 | Review parish charge and account adjustments. |
| Band H | More than £320,000 | Highest Council Tax band. |
1
Check your band on GOV.UK
This is the official band lookup route.
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Search your address or postcode on GOV.UK and note the band shown. Then compare it with BCP Council’s official charge table.
Official checker: Check your Council Tax band
2
Challenge a band only through VOA/GOV.UK
BCP Council does not set your property band.
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If you think the band is wrong, follow the official GOV.UK/Valuation Office Agency route. BCP Council says you must continue paying Council Tax until the appeal is decided. If the appeal succeeds, overpaid Council Tax is refunded.
BCP Council Tax Charges 2026/27 for Unparished Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole Areas
The table below shows the official 2026/27 totals for unparished areas. These totals include BCP Council, Dorset Police and Dorset & Wiltshire Fire and Rescue. They do not include extra parish or town council charges.
| Band | BCP Council | Police | Fire | Total 2026/27 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Band A | £1,320.31 | £215.05 | £64.63 | £1,599.99 |
| Band B | £1,540.36 | £250.90 | £75.41 | £1,866.67 |
| Band C | £1,760.41 | £286.74 | £86.18 | £2,133.33 |
| Band D | £1,980.46 | £322.58 | £96.95 | £2,399.99 |
| Band E | £2,420.56 | £394.26 | £118.49 | £2,933.31 |
| Band F | £2,860.66 | £465.95 | £140.04 | £3,466.65 |
| Band G | £3,300.77 | £537.63 | £161.58 | £3,999.98 |
| Band H | £3,960.92 | £645.16 | £193.90 | £4,799.98 |
BCP Parish and Town Council Combined Charges 2026/27
If you live in a parished area, use the total for your location below. These figures combine the main BCP Council Tax total with the local parish or town charge.
| Location | Band A | Band D | Band H | Practical Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bournemouth Town | £1,619.64 | £2,429.46 | £4,858.92 | Use this if your bill shows Bournemouth Town. |
| Broadstone | £1,640.22 | £2,460.33 | £4,920.66 | One of the higher parish totals. |
| Burton and Winkton | £1,612.27 | £2,418.41 | £4,836.82 | Check parish line on bill. |
| Christchurch Town | £1,649.62 | £2,474.43 | £4,948.86 | Use this for Christchurch Town charge. |
| Highcliffe and Walkford | £1,622.50 | £2,433.75 | £4,867.50 | Separate local charge applies. |
| Hurn | £1,624.30 | £2,436.45 | £4,872.90 | Use Hurn row if shown on bill. |
| Poole Town | £1,621.70 | £2,432.55 | £4,865.10 | Use this for Poole Town charge. |
| Throop and Holdenhurst | £1,626.46 | £2,439.69 | £4,879.38 | Check parish line carefully. |
Official BCP charges page: Council Tax bands and charges
BCP Council Tax Pay Online, Direct Debit, Phone Payment, Online Banking, PayPoint and Post Office
BCP Council lets residents pay by Direct Debit, online card payment, phone, online banking, cheque, PayPoint or Post Office. You need your Council Tax reference number for most payment methods.
1
Open the official BCP payment page
Start from bcpcouncil.gov.uk before entering card details.
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Use BCP Council’s official Pay your Council Tax page. Do not use random bank details, text-message payment links or unofficial payment pages.
Official payment page: Pay your Council Tax
2
Choose Direct Debit if you want regular automatic payment
Payment dates can be 1st, 15th or 25th.
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BCP Council says Direct Debit is the safest and most convenient payment method. You can choose the 1st, 15th or 25th day of each month and set up or change Direct Debit online.
3
Pay by phone if you prefer card payment
Use the 24-hour automated phone service.
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Call 01202 672 932 to make a secure debit or credit card payment using BCP Council’s 24-hour automated payment service.
4
Use online banking with the correct reference
Wrong references can delay matching.
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BCP Council lists online banking details as account name BCP Council – Income, sort code 20-68-95, bank account number 20627437. Use your Council Tax reference number as the payment reference.
| Payment Method | Official Detail | Best Practical Tip |
|---|---|---|
| Direct Debit | 1st, 15th or 25th monthly date. | Best for avoiding missed payments. |
| Online card payment | Secure debit or credit card payment online. | Bank statement may show “Online payment BCP Council”. |
| Phone payment | 01202 672 932. | Available through automated 24-hour payment service. |
| Online banking | Sort code 20-68-95, account 20627437. | Use Council Tax reference number. |
| PayPoint / Post Office | Use barcode on Council Tax bill. | Take a copy of your bill and keep the receipt. |
| Cheque by post | Payable to BCP Council. | Write Council Tax reference on the back. |
BCP Council Tax Login, Check Your Account Online, Paperless Billing and Change of Circumstances
BCP Council’s Council Tax hub says residents can sign in to their online account to check Council Tax information. The same hub links to change of circumstances, refunds, discounts, payments and arrears support.
What online account helps with
Check Council Tax information, review account details, make a payment, set Direct Debit, apply for discounts and report changes.
Why login matters
It can save time before calling, especially if you need to check payments, bills, arrears, discounts or account changes.
1
Open the official Council Tax online page
Use the official BCP route.
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Start from BCP Council’s Council Tax hub and choose “Check your Council Tax online”.
Official page: Check your Council Tax online
2
Report changes from the Council Tax hub
Moving home and discount changes can affect your bill.
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BCP Council asks residents to report moving home, leaving the area, discount/exemption changes or tenant changes through the official change-of-circumstances route.
3
Check online before submitting repeat enquiries
This can avoid duplicate work.
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If you recently paid, applied for a discount, claimed support or reported a move, check whether the account has already updated before sending another request.
BCP Council Tax Discounts, Exemptions, Single Person Discount and Council Tax Support
BCP Council provides official routes for Council Tax discounts, exemptions and Council Tax Support. Council Tax Support is means-tested and is not awarded automatically, so eligible residents must apply.
Single person discount
You can apply for a 25% discount if you are the only person over 18 in your home and already registered to pay Council Tax.
Council Tax Support
If you are on low income, you may be able to apply for Council Tax Support to reduce your bill.
Other discounts
Student, apprentice, care leaver, carers, severe mental impairment, disabled people and annexe discounts may apply.
1
Open the official discounts and exemptions page
Choose the correct discount before applying.
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Use BCP Council’s official discounts and exemptions page. It links to single person discount, students, apprentices, severe mental impairment, disabled people, carers, care leavers and annexe discounts.
Official page: Council Tax discounts and exemptions
2
Apply for Council Tax Support if income is low
Support is not automatic.
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BCP Council says Council Tax Support is a means-tested reduction. The test compares household income with an applicable amount based on household needs and circumstances.
Official support page: Council Tax Support
3
Tell BCP Council if discount circumstances change
Changes can affect entitlement.
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BCP Council says you must tell them straight away if something changes that affects a discount or exemption. If you do not, you may lose out, be overpaid or be fined.
Official change page: Change your Council Tax discount or exemption status
BCP Council Tax Tips Most Residents Learn Too Late
These practical checks can help you avoid wrong charge comparisons, missed discounts, payment matching delays and recovery costs.
Check whether your area is parished
BCP has different totals for Bournemouth Town, Christchurch Town, Poole Town and other parished areas. Do not compare only the unparished Band D total.
Use the payment reference every time
For online banking, BCP Council says you need your Council Tax reference number. Without it, payment matching can be delayed.
Pick Direct Debit date carefully
BCP offers Direct Debit payment dates on the 1st, 15th or 25th. Choose one after income normally arrives.
Apply for support, do not wait for it automatically
BCP says Council Tax Support is not awarded automatically. If income drops, apply early.
Keep PayPoint and Post Office receipts
Barcode payments need proof if a payment is later missing or delayed on your account.
Do not ignore a reminder
BCP says reminders give 7 days to bring arrears up to date. Ignoring notices can lead to final notice, summons and extra costs.
BCP Council Tax Arrears, Reminder Notice, Final Notice, Summons and Liability Order
If you do not pay BCP Council Tax on time, BCP Council says it may send a reminder or final notice. If the balance remains unpaid, a summons and liability order can follow, with extra costs and enforcement action.
1
Do not ignore a reminder notice
You normally get 7 days to bring the account up to date.
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BCP Council says if arrears are not brought up to date within 14 days, a final notice may be issued. A maximum of 2 reminder notices will be issued.
2
Contact BCP before summons stage
Final notice can remove instalment rights.
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If you receive a final notice and cannot pay the balance, contact BCP immediately. BCP says the next recovery stage can be a summons with additional costs.
3
Understand liability order risks
Extra enforcement action may follow.
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After a liability order, BCP may use actions such as attachment of earnings or benefits, enforcement agents, charging order, bankruptcy or committal in serious cases. Contact early to avoid extra fees and unnecessary action.
Official arrears page: What happens if you do not pay your Council Tax
BCP Council Tax Change of Address, Moving Home, Leaving the Area and Tenant Changes
BCP Council’s Council Tax hub links to change-of-circumstances forms for moving home, leaving the area, changes to discount or exemption eligibility, and tenant changes.
| Situation | What to Tell BCP Council | Why It Matters |
|---|---|---|
| Moving into BCP area | New address, move-in date, occupiers and tenancy or ownership details. | Starts the correct Council Tax account. |
| Moving out of BCP area | Leaving date, forwarding address and final bill details. | Helps stop bills after you leave. |
| Moving within BCP area | Old and new addresses with exact dates. | Closes one account and opens another. |
| Discount change | Adult occupancy, student status, exemption or household change. | Can change discount or support entitlement. |
| Tenant change | Tenant names, tenancy start/end date and landlord/agent details. | Helps assign liability correctly. |
Official Council Tax hub: BCP Council Tax services
BCP Council Tax Contact Number, Payment Phone, Email, Bank Details and Postal Address
Use the correct official route depending on your issue. Keep your Council Tax reference, address, payment date, discount question, support claim details or moving date ready.
| Contact / Resource | Best For | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Payment phone | 24-hour automated debit or credit card payment. | 01202 672 932 |
| General Council Tax enquiries | Charges, discounts, exemptions and issues paying the bill. | 01202 123 330 revenuesandbenefits@bcpcouncil.gov.uk |
| Online banking | Bank transfer payment. | BCP Council – Income Sort code: 20-68-95 Account number: 20627437 Use Council Tax reference. |
| Postal address | Written Council Tax queries or cheque payments. | Revenues and Benefits Services BCP Civic Centre Bourne Avenue Bournemouth BH2 6DY |
| Council Tax Support | Low income help and means-tested support. | Council Tax Support |
Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole Council Tax FAQs
Quick answers for residents searching BCP Council Tax 2026 bands, pay online, login, discounts, Council Tax Support, parish charges, phone number and arrears help.
What is BCP Council Tax Band D for 2026/27?▾
For unparished areas, BCP Council lists Band D 2026/27 total as £2,399.99. This includes BCP Council, Dorset Police and Dorset & Wiltshire Fire and Rescue.
How much did BCP Council Tax increase in 2026/27?▾
BCP Council says it increased Council Tax by 6.74% for 2026/27. Bills show the increase to one decimal point.
What are BCP Council Tax Band A and Band H charges?▾
For unparished areas in 2026/27, Band A is £1,599.99 and Band H is £4,799.98 before any discount, exemption, support or account adjustment.
How do I pay BCP Council Tax online?▾
Use BCP Council’s official Pay your Council Tax page. You need your Council Tax reference number to make a secure debit or credit card payment online.
What is the BCP Council Tax payment phone number?▾
BCP Council lists 01202 672 932 for secure debit or credit card payments using the 24-hour automated phone service.
What is the BCP Council Tax general enquiry number?▾
BCP Council lists 01202 123 330 for general Council Tax enquiries. The Council Tax email is revenuesandbenefits@bcpcouncil.gov.uk.
How do I check my BCP Council Tax online?▾
Use the official “Check your Council Tax online” page from BCP Council’s Council Tax hub to sign in and check Council Tax information.
Can I get BCP Council Tax Support?▾
Yes, if you are on a low income you may be able to apply for Council Tax Support. BCP Council says it is not awarded automatically, so you must apply.
Can I get BCP single person discount?▾
Yes, BCP Council says you can apply for a 25% discount if you are the only person over 18 in your home and already registered to pay Council Tax.
Are Bournemouth Town, Christchurch Town and Poole Town charges different?▾
Yes. BCP Council publishes separate parish or town charges for Bournemouth Town, Christchurch Town, Poole Town and several other parished areas.
Can I pay BCP Council Tax by bank transfer?▾
Yes. BCP Council lists account name BCP Council – Income, sort code 20-68-95 and account number 20627437. Use your Council Tax reference number.
Is UKCouncilTax.org the official BCP Council website?▾
No. UKCouncilTax.org is an independent guide. Always use official BCP Council and GOV.UK pages for payments, applications, account updates and legal decisions.