Flats to rent in Camberwell & SE5 , SE15 and Houses to rent in Camberwell & SE5 , SE15

Fantastically good access into the centre of town with a distinctive Green? There are very few places that offer this mix in London, and Camberwell might be the best of them.

Camberwell is slightly in the shadow of Brixton in terms of its cool, but this lends it a relaxed and friendly air without the clamour of its busier neighbour. Having said that, Camberwell is extremely popular, with its properties becoming more and more sought after as the pull of the Green exerts a magnetic tug for anyone looking for a bit of country in the City. If you don't mind a little bit of traffic now and then, this might be the place for you.

There are excellent three and four storey properties, and some beautifully preserved Victorian houses arranged in neat terraces. The main roads - Coldharbour Lane (leading to Brixton), Denmark Hill and the lanes off Camberwell Green offer some truly lovely Victorian properties as well as a select number of Georgian houses. Perhaps because of its history of redevelopment, Camberwell has a good mix of other types of home as well, with some Edwardian properties, as well as council blocks, and some well appointed maisonettes.

More well known for the popularity of its rental accommodation (an Art college and two hospitals means a great deal of rental) than its sales market until recently, Camberwell's homes are now much in demand with professionals who want the blend of fashionable social life with high-spec homes that it offers.

Facilities include a wealth of ethnic cuisine from Afro-Caribbean to Mediterranean reflecting the area's strong mix of cultures, some trendy bars and cafes, and great local stores. Larger stores are easy to get to, and boutique shopping is just up the road in Dulwich. And lording it over everything in the area is the fantastic Camberwell Green, an open space that rivals Greenwich Park in history and of which the locals are justly proud.

Camberwell is in the Borough of Southwark 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 Southwark website: Borough of Southwark

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 Southwark Council Tax