Flats to Rent or Houses For Sale in Harrow & HA0 to HA8

Wide streets winding down the hill, trees everywhere and of course, the famous school, Harrow is a large area that's both part of London and Middlesex. As such, there is a mixed character to the place which sees extreme affluence mixed with a more typical London suburbia that gives the cache of being in the area without the need to splash out on one of the pricier homes.

Harrow is hugely diverse, one of the most multicultural in London and the most religiously diverse in the UK, and this has been celebrated since 2005 with the Harrow Under One Sky festival, which celebrates the mix of people and cultures present here. Its schools are generally considered to be excellent, even if one leaves aside the most famous, Harrow School. There are other wonderful independent schools to choose from such as John Lyon, North London Collegiate and others, all of which rank in the UK's best. There are plenty of other educational choices in the area however and it's known as a borough for education.

Local shops are plentiful all over Harrow - the area is big enough and diverse enough to support almost every kind of store you could want, as well as having a wonderful range of places to eat without having to trek far, and there are loads of good pubs and bars. The location of Harrow on a strip of greenbelt ensures great open spaces and a generally countrified feel.

In recent years Harrow has developed its housing a good deal, pushing money into areas such as Wealdstone and South Harrow in order to shore up the area's stock of flats aimed at key workers. This has come at the same time as a spectacular re-energising of its town centre. There are plenty of 1920s and 1940s houses, as well as lovely Edwardian properties, all over the borough. On the hill, houses tend to be larger, well apportioned and with lovely grounds; but as the area regenerates, as more key workers are attracted and this has a knock-on effect on the local economy, all houses are looking well maintained and all are popular.

More and more, Harrow is full of young professionals as well as families. Prices are good, but this much competition means it's best to look quickly if you have the chance.

Harrow is in the Borough of Harrow 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 Harrow website: Borough of Harrow

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 Harrow Council Tax