Flats to rent in Richmond & TW10 and Houses to rent in Richmond & TW10

Along with Wimbledon it's probably the most famous and most desirable of the large Southwestern suburbs, blending facilities, river and greenery to an extent none can match. Richmond is a world away from London but it's within easy reach.

Beautifully sculpted by the twisting river, Richmond confuses the eye from above - it's south of the Thames, but the town is north of the bridge. It's a fantastically leafy and green place, with massive Park being only the first of many places that make this one of the most open of London's areas. Others include the nearby Deer Park and the lovely Kew Gardens.

Amenities in Richmond could go on for thousands of words, but obviously feature the river heavily. The lovely frontage over the Thames is the home of some of the nicest riverside pubs and most sought after waterside restaurants around, and all are popular all year. Along the Thames are also the Terraced Gardens.

Rowing and other water sports and pastimes start in Richmond and it's possibly the only place that puts Putney in the shade a little in this sphere. In the town itself there are wonderful shops, a good spread of high street names and excellent, twisty little side streets making the most of Richmond's curvy nature to hide lovely little boutiques, cafes and patisseries. Richmond is wonderful for entertainment, with good bars as well as its great restaurants, two theatres, and three cinemas including the excellent indie Richmond Filmhouse. There are a wonderful range of important historical buildings here, beginning with Richmond Palace Gate House and including the Cricketers on Richmond Green - but there are so many lovely buildings in the town that it's hard to list them all.

Fantastic parks, river views and nearby schools and universities, great shopping and - well, everything else - make Richmond's housing very popular in any case. But it helps that the houses themselves are lovely too. These include the predominately Victorian heart of the town, but there are also lovely Georgian houses, Edwardian and Victorian family homes, with excellent Georgian houses on Richmond Hill and Green. There are a good number of 18th and 19th century cottage as well. And of course, as development continues, Richmond is home to some of the nicest conversions in London, as well as fabulous riverside blocks from new plush developments to large Victorian mansion blocks. In the more affordable Whitton area, there are some lovely mid war detached, semi and terraced houses.

Richmond is in the Borough of Richmond-upon-Thames 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 Richmond-upon-Thames website: Borough of Richmond-upon-Thames

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 Richmond-upon-Thames Council Tax