Haringey Council Tax 2026/27: 4.99% Rise, £2,318 Band D & Budget Crisis Explained

Whether you’re in a Victorian terrace in Muswell Hill or a new-build flat near Tottenham Hale, the 2026 bill is going to look different.

This isn’t just another routine increase.

As of February 2026, Haringey Council has proposed a 4.99% council tax rise as part of its budget strategy to close a significant funding gap. The borough is also relying on Exceptional Financial Support (EFS) from the central government while implementing a Financial Recovery Plan.

So when you see “Adult Social Care Precept” on your bill this year, it’s not just a line item — it reflects real cost pressures. Social care alone is facing £38.5 million in new pressures, according to recent Cabinet reports.

This guide covers everything you need to know about Haringey council tax in 2026/27, including:

Confirmed 2025/26 rates
Cabinet-proposed 2026/27 increase
March 2, 2026, budget finalisation
Band A–H breakdown
Login and payment options
Arrears timeline
Empty property premium updates
Discounts and hardship support
What the Financial Recovery Plan means for residents

TL;DR – Haringey Council Tax 2026 Quick Facts

Confirmed Band D (2025/26): £2,207.94
Cabinet-proposed increase (2026/27): 4.99%
3% core increase
1.99% Adult Social Care precept
Estimated Band D (2026/27): £2,318.12
Budget final vote: March 2, 2026 (Full Council)
Collection rate (2025/26 YTD): 92.5%
Single person discount: 25%
Care leaver exemption: 100%
The empty property premium now applies after 12 months

How Much Is Haringey Council Tax in 2026/27?

For the 2026/27 financial year, Haringey Council is expected to apply the maximum 4.99% increase, bringing the average Band D bill to approximately £2,318.12, subject to approval at the March 2 Full Council meeting.

Here’s the confirmed 2025/26 rate and the Cabinet-proposed 2026/27 estimate:

Feature	2026 Status / Rate
Confirmed Band D (25/26)	£2,207.94
Proposed Increase (26/27)	4.99% (3% core + 1.99% social care)
Estimated Band D (26/27)	£2,318.12
Budget Finalisation Date	March 2, 2026
Single Person Discount	25%
Care Leaver Exemption	100%

Source: February 2026 Cabinet Budget Report & Medium Term Financial Strategy 2026–2031.

Full Haringey Council Tax Bands 2026 (A–H)

Band	2025/26 Annual	2026/27 Est.	Monthly (12)
A	£1,471.96	£1,545.41	£128.78
B	£1,717.29	£1,803.06	£150.25
C	£1,962.61	£2,060.71	£171.73
D	£2,207.94	£2,318.12	£193.18
E	£2,698.59	£2,833.24	£236.10
F	£3,189.23	£3,348.35	£279.03
G	£3,679.88	£3,863.48	£321.96
H	£4,415.88	£4,636.23	£386.35

Remember: bands are still based on 1991 property values — not today’s market.

Why Is Haringey Increasing Council Tax in 2026?

1️⃣ Financial Recovery Plan

Haringey is operating under a formal Financial Recovery Plan due to a widening budget gap.

To balance the books, the council is:

Using Exceptional Financial Support (EFS)
Restructuring service delivery
Increasing council tax within permitted limits
Freezing or reducing some discretionary spending

2️⃣ Adult Social Care Pressures

New social care cost pressures for 2026 are reported at £38.5 million.

That’s driven by:

Aging population
Increased complex care needs
Inflation in care contracts

3️⃣ Collection Rate Drop

Haringey’s council tax collection rate has dropped to 92.5%, reflecting wider cost-of-living pressures.

Lower collection rates increase strain on the budget — and future increases become more likely when revenue gaps widen.

Also Read: Council Tax Moving House: What You Must Do (2026 Guide)

The “Haringey Deal” – What It Means for Residents

The council’s 2026 strategy references the “Haringey Deal”, a framework describing how the council works with residents, businesses, and partners.

In practical terms, for council tax payers, this means:

Greater focus on community co-production
More transparency in budget reporting
Encouraging early engagement if struggling to pay

It signals a shift from enforcement-first to engagement-first — though enforcement still applies where necessary.

What Makes Up Your Bill?

Your total Haringey council tax includes:

Core Council Services

Waste, libraries, housing support, and children’s services.

Adult Social Care Precept

Specifically ring-fenced for care services.

GLA Precept

Covers:

Metropolitan Police
London Fire Brigade
London-wide services

How to Log In to Your Haringey Council Tax Account

Use the official “My Account” portal to:

View bills
Set up Direct Debit
Report moving home
Apply for a reduction

Always use haringey.gov.uk to avoid phishing scams.

How to Pay Haringey Council Tax

The quickest way to pay is via Direct Debit through My Account, allowing payments over 10 or 12 months.

Other methods include:

Online debit/credit card
Bank transfer
Telephone payment

Most residents now choose 12-month spreading to reduce monthly strain.

What Happens If You Miss a Payment?

Here’s the enforcement timeline:

Missed instalment
Reminder notice
Final notice (instalments cancelled)
Court summons
Liability order
Enforcement agents

Once a liability order is granted, additional costs are added.

If struggling:

Contact the council early
Request a payment arrangement
Seek Citizens Advice support

Silence makes things worse.

Haringey Council Tax Reduction Scheme 2026

You may qualify if:

On low income
Receiving Universal Credit
Pension age
Disabled
Student
Care leaver (100% exemption)

Applications must be submitted — reductions are not automatic.

Also Check: Garden Shed Council Tax 2026: What Triggers It and What Doesn’t

Empty Property Premium – 2026 Update

Haringey now applies a 100% premium after just 12 months of vacancy (previously two years).

Longer-term vacancies can face higher premiums under national legislation.

⚠️ Warning for Landlords

Leaving property empty for one year now doubles your bill.

Moving Home in Haringey

Notify the council immediately when:

Moving in
Moving out
Changing tenants

Failure to close accounts can result in double-billing.

Haringey Council Tax Health Check

✔ Confirm your band
✔ Check discounts
✔ Review Direct Debit
✔ Monitor arrears
✔ Update move details
✔ Understand premium risks

FAQs

Q. How much is Band D council tax in Haringey 2026?

For the 2026/27 financial year, the proposed Haringey council tax Band D is approximately £2,318.12, up from £2,207.94 in 2025/26. This includes the Adult Social Care Precept.

Q. When is the Haringey council tax budget finalised?

The Haringey 2026/27 council tax budget will be formally approved at the Full Council meeting on March 2, 2026.

Q. Why is Haringey council tax increasing by 4.99%?

The proposed 4.99% increase reflects:

3% core rise for council services
1.99% Adult Social Care Precept
Addressing a budget gap as part of Haringey’s Financial Recovery Plan

Q. What is the Haringey council tax collection rate?

As of February 2026, the Haringey council tax collection rate is approximately 92.5%, slightly down due to cost-of-living pressures.

Q. When does the empty property premium apply in Haringey?

The empty property premium applies to properties vacant for 12 months or more. Longer-term empty properties may incur higher premiums.

Q. How do I apply for Haringey council tax reduction?

You can apply for council tax reduction or discount via the official Haringey Council website My Account portal. Eligibility includes: low income, Universal Credit, pension age, students, disabled residents, or care leavers (100% exemption).

Conclusion

Haringey council tax in 2026 isn’t just about a 4.99% increase.

It’s about:

A borough managing a serious funding gap
Rising social care costs
Lower collection rates
Stronger empty home enforcement
A Financial Recovery Plan backed by EFS

With the final budget set for March 2, 2026, residents should review their bills, check eligibility for support, and ensure their payment plans are in place.

A small review now can prevent much bigger problems later.