From energy to broadband, most household bills go up in April – but why? We’ve broken down which household bills increase at the start of April, so you can plan your budget and keep your bills under control.
| Bill type | April 2026 change |
|---|---|
| Council tax | Up 5% (majority of local authorities) |
| Energy (variable tariff) | Down 6.6% (price cap reduced) |
| Water | Up 5.4% average (around £33/year more) |
| TV licence | Up £5.50 (now £180/year) |
| Broadband, TV and mobile | Mid-contract price rises are now in effect |
Why do council tax bills go up in April?
Council Tax bills across the UK rise on April 1st, with the new rate applying for the next year. Council Tax – like other taxes in the UK – follows the financial year. The first day of the financial year is April 6th, but for simplicity, local councils adjust their billing from the start of the month.
Why is the first day of the financial year April 6th?
Originally, New Year’s Day was celebrated on March 25th, the religious festival of Lady Day. In 1752 the UK shifted from the Julian calendar to the Gregorian calendar, which was 11 days ahead. So as not to lose tax revenue, the start of the year was also moved. Initially, the new start date was April 5th – it was adjusted to April 6th to account for the leap year, and has stayed that way ever since.
How much does council tax increase?
Local councils are typically permitted to raise tax by a maximum of 5% each year. In 2026, the majority of local authorities used the maximum permitted increase. In addition, 7 local authorities received special permission to further increase rates to help them meet budget shortfalls. Find out more here.
When do energy bills go up?
Unlike council tax, energy bills are not adjusted once a year in April. Instead, when your bills change depends on the type of energy tariff you have and your energy usage.
If you are on a fixed rate tariff, your per-unit rates and standing charges will stay fixed for the length of your contract. Your bills will be adjusted throughout the year based on how much energy you use.
If you are on a variable tariff, your per-unit rates and standing charges will be adjusted four times a year when the energy price cap is adjusted – January 1st, April 1st, July 1st and October 1st.
The energy price cap is based on wholesale energy prices, and is determined more than a month ahead of the actual change. On April 1st the price cap dropped 6.6%, but experts currently predict the Iran war and the rising cost of oil and gas will cause a sharp increase when the price cap is next adjusted.
Will my water bill increase in April?
Water bills go up in April as well, with rates adjusted at the start of the financial year. In 2026 every water supplier in the UK will increase rates for customers, with an average annual increase of £33 or around 5.4%.
The increase varies between water suppliers. Find out how your water bills are changing here, as well as why water prices are rising.
The TV licence fee has changed
Another bill that rose at the start of April is the cost of a TV licence. The new licence fee is £180 a year – an increase of £5.50. The good news is that the increase only applies to licences that renew after April 1st. If you pay your licence fee annually, you won’t pay the increased rate until it next renews.
Mid-contract price increases in April
The financial year starting in April is also the reason for mid-contract price rises for broadband, TV and mobile kicking in at this time of year. If your initial agreement included a mid-contract price rise, it will usually come into effect the following April. You can find out more about mid-contract price rises – and how to avoid them – here.
Frequently asked questions about household bills going up in April
Why do most household bills go up in April?
Most household bills increase in April because they are tied to the UK financial year, which begins on 6 April. Council tax and water bills are reset at the start of each financial year. Energy bills on variable tariffs are updated quarterly, with April 1st being one of the four change dates. Broadband, TV and mobile mid-contract price rises are also typically applied in April.
Can I challenge my council tax band?
Yes. If you think your property is in the wrong council tax band – which is more common than many people realise – you can make a formal challenge. If successful, you could be moved to a lower band and receive a backdated refund. You can check your band and start the process on the GOV.UK council tax band challenge page.
Should I fix my energy tariff before the next price cap change?
If the price cap is expected to rise in July, switching to a fixed rate tariff could protect you from that increase for the length of your contract. Whether this makes sense depends on the deals available and how long you want to be locked in. Compare current fixed deals against the predicted price cap before deciding.
Do I need a TV licence?
You need a TV licence if you watch live TV on any channel or device, or if you watch or download BBC content via iPlayer. You do not need one if you only watch on-demand content from non-BBC providers such as Netflix or ITVX. You can check whether you need a licence on the TV Licensing website.
