Flats to rent in Kennington & SE11 and Houses to rent in Kennington & SE11

Kennington is a heady mix; just across the road is the way to the Southwest and to the countryside, and its own park, yet Kennington is very urban despite this. Even if you aren't into cricket - the Oval is right next door to the area and gives its tube station its name - Kennington is definitely a place to consider if you're after a wide variety of housing.

The character of the area is to an extent determined by the old Roman road of Kennington Park Road/Clapham Road. This forms a central vein around which, along with the Oval and nearby Vauxhall Bridge areas, the property here clumps. And what a collection of property there is in Kennington: considering the degree of development the variety is huge. Away from the very busy main streets, there are quieter areas offering a stunning mix of Victorian houses (of various styles), Georgian terraces, and some lovely new modern developments offering good-priced flats, which suit both those looking for pieds-a-terre as well as the young professionals who need proximity to town. There are also some very affordable ex-council flats here. But unusually for an inner London borough this mix is quite spread - there are good numbers both of houses and flats.

Though busy, one of the first things people notice here is how suburban it feels. You can use your bike to get to work in the centre of town easily, but also take it to one of the local parks (Clapham, Battersea, Kennington itself) in evenings and weekends. There are also, unsurprisingly for a middle class area on the up, some really good restaurants and excellent pubs and bars here. And there are first class resources in shopping in Clapham and Battersea just a short trip down the road.

Busy at times but mostly suburban, Kennington is a good place either for a second home or for young professionals who like to live close to the city.

Kennington is in the Borough of Lambeth 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 Lambeth website: Borough of Lambeth

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 Lambeth Council Tax