Flats to rent in Forest Gate & E7 and Houses to rent in Forest Gate & E7

Wide, open, a great urban district - like much of the East, Forest Gate is right next to the city, a tiny distance from the centre of town, but is full of green, and has a lot of excellent places to live within its boundaries.

Close to Manor Park, Plaistow and Stratford, Forest Gate has more good green space than many places around here. It looks out over the wonderful remnants of the Epping Forest, Wanstead Flats. This is a wonderful area which is very popular with locals, whether you're into simply walking, rambling with the family, or trying to spot wildlife. Also here is West Ham Park, which is a great favourite for organised sports. Forest Gate has some truly excellent local schools as well, notably Godwin Junior, but there are plenty of great places to educate your children around here.

Like many areas around the East, Forest Gate is reaping the benefits of the huge investments and redevelopment of the region in preparation for the Olympics. Improved transport and infrastructural investment is making houses here more desirable. The area's services, restaurants, bars and other amenities are becoming more and more upwardly mobile as choosy buyers come in. But it's still definitely a London borough and hasn't lost the edge, the sense of community that typifies real East London areas. Other nearby areas like West Ham and Stratford offer a wider range of shops, restaurants and bars.

Housing in Forest Gate is predominately Victorian, with great houses in most of its quiet streets. There are some conversions around, as well as a few more modern blocks and apartment developments - although these tend to be more prevalent towards Stratford. The best place to look for houses is generally considered to be the Woodgrange Conservation area, where some very fine double-fronted Victorian houses can be viewed.

Still on the up and not yet topped out, Forest Gate is definitely in for big things in the next few years, and has in any case, with its great open spaces and proximity to Stratford and other areas, a huge amount to offer families and professionals looking for excellent, different commuting solutions.

Forest Gate is in the Borough of Newham 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 Newham website: Borough of Newham

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 Newham Council Tax