Flats to rent in Bethnal Green & E2 and Houses to rent in Bethnal Green & E2

Although it could be said to be a mixed area, Bethnal Green is a strong residential market. Partly this is down to its close proximity to the City at competitive prices - but it's also down to history fusing with modernity, and a neat regeneration.

Bethnal Green is a classic East End neighbourhood. You can practically hear the Kray Twins in every street and it still has that oddly cosy feel to it. It also has an extraordinary variety of people and cultures, with strong Asian and Caribbean influences on local trade and restaurants.

Young, trendy Londoners are coming into Bethnal Green from the Shoreditch and Islington areas, looking for better deals than the ones available in these heavily priced regions, and bigger houses than they can possibly find elsewhere. Maybe this is based on price to a great extent, but it's also because this feels like an enclosed, protected inner city community, within reach of everything but slightly protected and of itself.

The regeneration of Bethnal Green proceeds apace. There are still some of the original blocks that are so typical of postwar British development, but in the main these are on the way out, to be replaced by newer, better built and designed blocks of flats and loft-style apartments aimed at the in-flooding artistic and media workers and city professionals seeking cheap living. There are some truly lovely Victorian houses throughout the neighbourhood, cottages built like many in the area to house the vast numbers of workers that flocked to the city as rail and river provided enormous wealth. These cottages, perfect for conversion and extensive remodelling into modern homes, and the more desirable of the newer blocks, form the bulk of the market in Bethnal Green. The population, a mixture of the locals who have yet to sell out, some living still in council estates, and the trendy youngsters, have created a colourful mix that makes Bethnal Green a true microcosm of London life.

Bethnal Green is marked out by Hackney and Columbia Road - home of the flower market - and its principal green space is Victoria Park, one of the finest small parks in London and bordered by fine Victorian terraces, which are perhaps - along with the most well-apportioned of the modern apartments - are the most sought-after in Bethnal Green.

A great deal of gentrification is going on in Bethnal Green, but it is not - it seems - a case of old completely driving out the new. Whilst the demolition of old flats and the selling up of many longterm residents is changing the face of the neighbourhood, enough of the traditional residents are staying, and enough of the racial and cultural diversity remains, to make the area a truly exciting place to live.

Bethnal Green is in the Borough of Tower Hamlets which holds the responsibility for delivering services in your area.
For specific information on this borough, or to contact individual departments please click here to visit their website.

Borough of Tower Hamlets website: Borough of Tower Hamlets

In General:
The London boroughs are administrative centres responsible for collecting local taxes (Council Tax and Business Rates) and then spending the funds received on local services. They are run by Borough Councils who are elected by borough residents on a four year cycle. The totals that they spend will depend on the rates of tax that they levy plus funds allocated from central government and other sources.

While many of the services (schools, roads, planning, rubbish collection and social services) are standard, levels of provision will vary according to the overall political will as expressed by the voters.

Your tax liability (as a resident) will be based on the council tax band of your home. These bands are set by Valuation Officers and there is scope for appeal. The rate bands are then used to determine the amounts of tax levied. So, while the bands will remain largely constant the levels of tax can go up and, in theory, down.

You may claim discounts or exemptions based on your circumstances. For example, as the only adult in a property you can get a 25% reduction on your bill. Other reductions are available for qualifying second adults and Council Tax Benefit claimants.

There is more information available at the HM Customs & Excise website.

Borough of Tower Hamlets Council Tax