Flats to rent in Crystal Palace & SE19 and Houses to rent in Crystal Palace & SE19

Relaxed and charming, with unparalleled views and one of London's most famous parks, Crystal Palace sits proud on its huge hill. It has gentrified itself over the last few years to become a very desirable (and of course, flood-proof) area.

There aren't any more traditionally Victorian areas - Crystal Palace's heyday in the 19th Century saw the construction of huge numbers of very fine Victorian houses. Many of these are of course terraced, but there are also a comparatively generous number of the grand villas around the park. Of course, many of these are now effectively small apartment blocks (they are often extremely large as well as fine) offering superb flats. Crystal Palace Park Road offers the finest of these and in recent years - as the area has once again become popular with families - there has been move to convert them again. These are quite superb properties and any that come on the market are snapped up - although Crystal Palace is in general a very affordable area.

Crystal Palace is all about the relationship of hill to valley, and the character of the villagey central area is dictated by the axis of the park to Westow Hill and Gypsy Hill. The former is broadly speaking a shopping area, where the middle class and local influences collide to produce great restaurants as well as cheap local eats, and local produce sits alongside some great little shops. The latter sees Crystal Palace's trademark Victorian homes blend into modern blocks and some mid-war terraces.

The area has excellent shops and great access, and of course some of the best greenery around. Most of the houses have good gardens, as befits an area becoming one of the South London choices for families - but even with the competition, Crystal Palace is still a very affordable place to live.

Crystal Palace is in the Borough of Croydon 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 Croydon website: Borough of Croydon

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 Croydon Council Tax

Crystal Palace Car Travel

Crystal Palace Train Travel