Kendal households in a Band D property will pay £2,525.45 in council tax for 2026/27, an increase of £121.67 on last year. The annual charge is around 5.1% higher than the previous total of £2,403.78.

The figures apply to homes in the Kendal Town Council area for the year ending 31 March 2027. Council tax bands are based on a property's estimated value on 1 April 1991, rather than its current market value.

What Kendal households will pay

The charge varies from £1,683.62 for Band A to £5,050.89 for Band H. Band D covers properties valued at £68,001 to £88,000 under the 1991 valuation system.

  • Band A: £1,683.62
  • Band B: £1,964.25
  • Band C: £2,244.84
  • Band D: £2,525.45
  • Band E: £3,086.65
  • Band F: £3,647.86
  • Band G: £4,209.06
  • Band H: £5,050.89

Four public bodies contribute to a Band D bill, alongside the town council. Westmorland and Furness Council's general charge is £1,684.74, while its adult social care precept adds £329.99. The Cumbria Police and Crime Commissioner receives £338.94, and Cumbria Fire and Rescue Authority receives £103.14. Kendal Town Council's share is £68.64.

The comparison with last year was calculated from the separate increases published by the authorities because the previous council tax table now redirects to the 2026/27 figures. The district council's overall increase is made up of a 2.99% rise for general spending and a 2% adult social care precept. The police share has risen by £14.94, while the fire charge is up by £4.95.

Why Kendal Town Council's share has risen

Kendal Town Council increased its precept from £712,496 to £785,488, a rise of 10.24%. Spread across the town's tax base, the Band D parish share increased from £62.62 to £68.64, or 9.6%.

The tax base grew only slightly, from 11,378 Band D-equivalent properties to 11,443.70. That 0.577% increase means most of the higher town council precept is reflected in the bills of existing taxpayers. The council's Band D share is £68.64; its published contributions for other bands run from £45.76 for Band A to £91.52 for Band F.

Kendal's parish charge is higher than some nearby communities but lower than others. At Band D, Kirkby Lonsdale adds £139.44 and Grange-over-Sands £120.89, while Windermere and Bowness adds £36.65. Burneside adds £43.62, Natland £21.10 and Staveley with Ings £23.19. Some parish areas, including Longsleddale and Lambrigg, add nothing.

Before parish charges, every Band D home in Westmorland and Furness pays the same £2,456.81. The local parish precept is the part that changes between areas.

Second homes, empty properties and possible discounts

Furnished second homes in Westmorland and Furness are charged a 100% council tax premium, meaning owners pay 200% of the normal bill. The policy began on 1 April 2025. A Band D second home in Kendal therefore faces a yearly charge of £5,050.90.

Long-term empty and unfurnished homes are charged according to how long they have been empty. Properties vacant for one to five years face a 100% premium, those empty for five to 10 years face a 200% premium, and those empty for more than 10 years face a 300% premium. An empty, unfurnished property vacant for less than six months has a 100% discount.

There is no longer a council tax reduction for a property undergoing structural alteration or major repair. Owners may instead need to ask the Valuation Office Agency to remove the property from the valuation list. Properties genuinely operated as holiday lets may fall under business rates, depending on their availability and actual letting record.

Residents should check whether they qualify for help. A single occupier can receive a 25% discount, while Council Tax Reduction can cover up to 100% for people on low incomes. Some annexes qualify for a 50% reduction, and households made up entirely of students are exempt.

Other adults may be disregarded when the bill is calculated, including full-time students, apprentices, some carers, live-in care workers on low incomes, people in hospital or care homes, and people who are severely mentally impaired. The latter category requires medical certification and receipt of a qualifying benefit, and claims may be backdated.

Residents can check their band and compare it with neighbouring properties through GOV.UK. Challenges are handled by the Valuation Office Agency, not Westmorland and Furness Council. Evidence that a comparable property on the same street is in a lower band may support a challenge, but a successful review can move a band upwards as well as downwards and may affect neighbouring homes.