Flats or Houses to rent or buy in the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea

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

Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea: http://www.rbkc.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.

London's most desirable borough? Excellent transport links, beautiful parks, fashionable shops and restaurants, a wealth of galleries and museums and grandiose properties provide an enviable list of attributes. Sky high prices put Kensington and Chelsea beyond the reach of most, whilst traffic and congestion at least prove that those fortunate enough to live here don't have it all their own way. The south of the borough has always proved a sought after location for the wealthier middle classes and city types blessed with bonuses to match their egos.

South Kensington, Kensington and Sloane Square all provide an exclusive residence yet the borough's more western reaches, once previously considered shabby and run down, have now emerged as property hot spots. Notting Hill has experienced a very public rebirth, whilst even the grimier areas of North Kensington are experiencing an up turn.