Your bill explained 2026 to 2027

This year’s Council Tax bills are being issued on 10 March 2026.

Many thousands of Dorset customers already receive their bill by email. Electronic billing helps reduce the cost of printing and postage, which can make savings for the council and Council Tax payers.  The added benefit of electronic billing is that it is convenient and environmentally friendly.  To sign up for future billing visit  Get your Council Tax bill by email.

Adult Social Care

Legislation has changed the way we display the Adult Social Care (ASC) charges from April 2025 meaning we do not show this on the bill as a separate line as in past years. We do not need to refer to the breakdown of percentages any longer.

There are still calculations of the percentage increase shown within the budget papers and spending tables.

The actual percentage increase for each of the major precepts is shown below  

Second home changes

From 1 April 2025, Dorset Council introduced an additional 100% premium on second homes. A second home is defined as a furnished property that is not permanently occupied. This includes:

• properties used periodically but not as a main residence
• properties that are unoccupied between tenants
• inherited properties
• properties actively marketed for sale or re-let

At the February 2024 budget-setting meeting, Dorset Council agreed to apply this increased charge from April 2025. As legislation requires 12 months’ notice before introducing a premium, the 100% premium took effect from 1 April 2025.  

Some exceptions to this premium are available and are listed on Dorset Council’s website Council Tax on second homes.

Where an exception applies, it will be shown on the Council Tax bill as ‘second home class B’.

Key points about the exception:

• it can apply for up to 12 months from the date the property is first marketed
• the exception ends when: 
  • the 12-month period expires, or
  • the property is sold, or
  • it is no longer being actively marketed
• if the exception ends on 1 April 2026, this will be reflected in the annual bill and the 100% premium will be added
• if the exception ends after 1 April a revised bill will be issued on the anniversary
• the exception can only be applied once per owner per property
• where the council has identified a qualifying property, the bill has been updated automatically and the premium will not appear

If you believe that the second home premium is causing exceptional financial hardship, the council will consider applications for a reduction in liability under its Section 13A (1)(C) of the Local Government Finance Act 1992. Please request an application form by emailing [email protected]. You will be required to provide supporting evidence.

Long term empty properties

From 1 April 2024, a premium applies to all properties that have been empty and unfurnished for 12 months or more.  

There are exceptions available from 1 April 2025. Further details can be found on the Dorset Council website Empty properties and annexes. 

Key points about the exceptions:

• they can apply for up to 12 months, starting from when the property is first marketed
• the exception ends when: 
  • the 12 months has expired, or
  • the property is sold, or
  • it is no longer actively marketed
• if the exception ends on 1 April 2026, the annual bill will show the additional premium
• if the exception ends after 1 April a revised bill will be issued on the anniversary
• where qualifying properties have been identified, the council has updated them automatically, and the premium is not shown on the bill

Tenants - know your rights 

Renting is changing. From the 1 May 2026, renters get more rights. This includes the right to a written tenancy agreement, if your landlord wants to end your tenancy, the right to know the reason why and the right not to be discriminated against trying to find a home if you claim benefits or have children. Find out about all your rights go to Renters Rights Act: private tenants - Shelter England