Council Tax bills are being issued and Direct Debit payers do not need to take any action as instalments will be updated automatically.
- Residents reminded if they pay by Direct Debit, they don’t need to amend their details
- Council Tax premium to be levied on second homes
With Council Tax bills for the coming year being issued from today, the 28,000 Runnymede Council Taxpayers who pay by Direct Debit are being reminded they don’t need to amend their payment details, as the council will collect the new instalments automatically on the due date.
In 2026/27 for a Band D property, the Council Tax will be £2492.99, an increase of £2.17 per week on the previous year. This funds the services of Runnymede Borough Council (£202), Surrey County Council (£1,938.42) and Surrey Police (£352.57).
The council has also announced plans to introduce a 100% Council Tax premium on second homes in Runnymede from 1 April 2027, to encourage the use of these properties as main residences, or to bring them back onto the housing market.
It is estimated there are 244 such properties within Runnymede.
Among the councils that will form West Surrey Council, Runnymede is currently the only authority not charging this premium: in Woking it is already in place, and the other authorities have already announced their plans to implement one.
Councils are required to give at least one year's notice before implementing the premium, to give owners sufficient notice whether to seek an exemption - or sell the property. Examples of exemptions include if a property is currently vacant while for sale or let, or where probate has recently been granted.
Work will be undertaken this financial year to confirm which properties will be categorised as second homes and liable for the premium, and which will be exempt.
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