Flats or Houses to rent or buy in the London Borough of Islington

For specific information on this borough, or to contact individual departments please click here to visit their website.

London Borough of Islington: http://www.islington.gov.uk

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.

Favoured location of London's hip and trendy set, Islington took its time to transform from 1960's run down borough to icon of New Labour hipness and sought after location for City and West End workers. Nowadays, Islington is immediately associated with the super-hip Upper Street with its trendy bars and restaurants and the wealth of fine Georgian and Victorian houses available. Many areas have succumbed to the nouveaux riche set, but not all of Islington is smart and glamorous.

Clerkenwell to the south of the borough epitomises London's modern trend for warehouse living whilst further north the council blocks of Finsbury and the boarders with King's Cross serves to remind that not all the borough is affluent. Barnsbury, Canonbury and Highbury lie to the north of Islington and boast many elegant squares and terraces. Archway offers roads of densely packed Victorian terraces whilst Tufnell Park to the west has become a hot spot for those forced out by Islington's high prices.