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£1,805/year including water & sewerage
Annual (Band B)
£1,805
Monthly
£150
Single person (25% off)
£1,354
Weekly
£35
| Factor | Value |
|---|---|
| Band D reference rate (Orkney Islands) | £2,321/year |
| Band B ratio to Band D | 7/9 (77.8%) |
| Calculation | £2,321 × 77.8% = £1,805 |
| Scottish average Band B | £1,797/year |
| vs Scottish average | £8 above average |
Scottish average calculated from national average Band D of £2,310 × 7/9 (77.8%).
| Year | Band B annual | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2022/23 | £1,410 | — |
| 2023/24 | £1,481 | +5.0% |
| 2024/25 | £1,577 | +6.5% |
| 2025/26 | £1,703 | +8.0% |
| 2026/27 ◀ current | £1,805 | +6.0% |
2026/27 is the confirmed rate. Prior years are estimates based on Scotland-wide average increases. Note: 2023/24 was a partial freeze year — most councils raised rates by 0% in exchange for a Scottish Government compensation grant, though some opted out and raised by up to 5%.
1991 valuation: £27,001–£35,000
Band B covers properties valued £27,001–£35,000 in 1991. In Orkney Islands for 2026/27, Band B costs £1,805/year (£150/month including water and sewerage). This is £8 above the Scottish average Band B rate of £1,797. Compared to Band D in Orkney Islands (£2,321/year), Band B households pay £516/year less. The 25% single person discount reduces Band B in Orkney Islands to £1,354/year.
% of median salary
6.4%
Weeks of median pay
3.4
Median local salary
£28,000
Band B council tax in Orkney Islands (£1,805/year) represents 6.4% of the median gross full-time salary for the area (£28,000/year). That is the equivalent of approximately 3.4 weeks of median gross earnings. The Scottish average Band B rate of £1,797/year represents 6.4% of the same local median.
Source: ONS Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings (ASHE). Median gross full-time earnings, approximate.
| Band | Property value (1991) | Annual | Monthly | With 25% discount |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Band A | Up to £27,000 | £1,547 | £129 | £1,160 |
| Band B ◀ | £27,001–£35,000 | £1,805 | £150 | £1,354 |
| Band C | £35,001–£45,000 | £2,063 | £172 | £1,547 |
| Band D | £45,001–£58,000 | £2,321 | £193 | £1,741 |
| Band E | £58,001–£80,000 | £2,990 | £249 | £2,243 |
| Band F | £80,001–£106,000 | £3,654 | £305 | £2,741 |
| Band G | £106,001–£212,000 | £4,355 | £363 | £3,266 |
| Band H | Over £212,000 | £5,393 | £449 | £4,045 |
10 monthly instalments
Standard — April to January
£181/month
No payment in February or March
12 monthly instalments
On request from council
£150/month
Spreads the same total over all 12 months
Annual lump sum
Pay in full upfront
£1,805
Some councils offer a small discount
25% single person discount
Saves £451/year (reducing your bill to £1,354/year). Anyone living alone automatically qualifies. Adults who are full-time students, carers, or severely mentally impaired are disregarded when counting.
Apply for single person discount — Orkney Islands→Student exemption
Properties occupied entirely by full-time students are fully exempt — the Band B bill is £0. Mixed households (some students, some non-students) do not get the full exemption but students are disregarded for the single-person discount.
Council Tax Reduction (CTR)
A means-tested discount available to working-age and pension-age households on low incomes. CTR can reduce your Band B bill by up to 100% and is separate from the single person discount — you can receive both simultaneously.
Apply for CTR — Orkney Islands→Disabled person's band reduction
If someone in your household is severely disabled and needs extra space or a specific room (e.g. for a wheelchair), your property is assessed as one band lower. For Band B, this means paying Band A rates instead — saving £258/year.
Scotland note: Your Band B bill of £1,805 includes £652/year for Scottish Water charges — water and sewerage are bundled into council tax in Scotland, unlike England where they are separate bills.
Council tax Band B in Orkney Islands is £1,805 per year for 2026/27, including water and sewerage charges from Scottish Water. This works out to £150 per month or £35 per week. If you live alone, the 25% single person discount reduces this to £1,354 per year.
Yes. Orkney Islands's Band B rate of £1,805 is £8 above the Scottish average Band B rate of £1,797. The Scottish average is calculated using the national average Band D rate of £2,310 multiplied by the Band B ratio of 77.8%.
Band A is the cheapest council tax band in Orkney Islands, costing £1,547/year (£129/month) for 2026/27. Band H is the most expensive at £5,393/year. The full range in Orkney Islands spans £3,846/year between the cheapest and most expensive band. Band B costs £258/year more than Band A in Orkney Islands.
To challenge your council tax band in Orkney Islands, contact the local Assessor's office — not the council itself. The Scottish Assessors Association handles all banding queries. You can make a formal proposal if you think your property is in the wrong band, particularly if similar properties nearby are in a lower band, or if you have evidence the 1991 valuation was wrong. Be aware that a successful challenge could also result in your band being increased.
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Rates shown are for 2026/27 and include Scottish Water charges of £652/year. Verify your exact bill with Orkney Islands council directly. Property valuations are based on 1991 values as set when council tax was introduced.