renting with ffields in Kensal Green
Renting Property In Pimlico, Victoria, Westminster, Knightsbridge, Mayfair, Belgravia
Renting Property In Pimlico, Victoria,
Westminster, Knightsbridge, Mayfair, Belgravia
History
Recorded as 'Kingisholt' ('The King's Wood') in 1253, the name Kensal Green is first mentioned in 1550. A map of 1849 shows that The Green lay immediately to the west of Flowerhills Lane (now Kilburn Lane), between what is now Regent Street and Harrow Road, with The Plough (see below) at its north-east corner.
In the Middle Ages the land in the surrounding areas was owned by the Countess of Richmond (the mother of King Henry VII) and All Souls' College, Oxford. There was also a small manor of Chamberlayne Wood, named after Richard de Camera, an early-13th century priest who received income from the land. There were sheep farms between Kensal Green and Harlesden.
In the 18th century, along with farms and two larger houses, there was an inn called the Plough (frequented by artist George Morland). After 1814 the Green was used as a shooting range by the Cumberland Sharpshooters, a local rifle club. Another sporting activity was Willesden Steeplechases on the site of the future King Edward VII recreation ground (now Willesden Sports Centre) until the middle of the 19th century.
In the beginning of the 19th century the small hamlet of Kensal Green lived around the activities on the Grand Junction Canal. Barges with such cargoes as iron, coal, waste paper and gravel were towed through Kensal Green. A brick works was set up and the growth of the village began. In 1823, the Green was divided into plots for cottages owned by local tradesmen and inhabited by the poor.
The real growth of Kensal Green began in connection with the All Souls' Cemetery. It was opened on 24 January 1833 to solve the problem with burial grounds in London and soon became the place to be laid to rest amongst many prominent Victorians. The construction of two railways, the London & Birmingham line to the north and the Great Western line to the south, in 1837-8 facilitated the growth of Kensal Rise which became a London suburb.
In the 1840s, the area south of the Harrow Road became Kensal New Town, and north of the cemetery was Kensal Green. St. John's Church was built in 1844 followed by a school and more inns.
Around this time Kensal Lodge and Kensal Manor House were associated with writer William Harrison Ainsworth and his guests, including Charles Dickens.
In 1858, St. Mary's Catholic Cemetery was opened west of All Soul's Cemetery. Many Irish immigrants were buried there, as well as Sir Anthony Panizzi (d. 1879), the principal librarian of the British Museum who was partly responsible for the creation of the famous Round Reading Room. After the two World Wars a Belgian War Memorial was created there.
In 1860, the Hampstead Junction Railway was opened. Next year a new station appeared called Kensal Green & Harlesden. In 1873, it was moved half a mile to the east and renamed Kensal Green. There was Willesden Junction station nearby. Buses and later trams also connected Kensal Green to London.
During the 1880s, Herbert Spencer visited the Green in the mornings and played quoits, dictating between games.
Large scale housing construction followed, mainly two-storey cottages. Sanitation was poor, and many residents kept pigs. Indeed, the slaughtering and selling off of a pig at the Plough was one of the highlights of the week. Towards the end of the 19th century local landlords All Souls College, Oxford stepped up the urban development. Chamberlayne Road was built to connect Kensal Green with Willesden Green. The new area was called Kensal Rise. Kensal Green Station was renamed Kensal Rise in 1890.
Schools and churches opened between 1877 and 1913. Housing now stretched all the way to Harlesden. Of interest are the houses built by Charles Langler and Charles Pinkham, like those in Clifford Gardens (about 1897) with decorated facades.
Despite the proximity of respectable Queens Park to the east, and gifts of land, libraries and clubs by Victorian philanthropists, Kensal Green had a reputation of being a near slum, although some better off people, like clerks, accounts and salesmen employed in the City lived here, too.
Amongst the leisure facilities in the area were the National Athletic Grounds (the site of Whitmore Gardens today) laid out in 1890; Kensal Rise Library, opened by Mark Twain in 1900, as well as Kensal Green Lawn Tennis Club (1906) and the Constitutional Club (1909). A new Kensal Green station, on the Euston to Watford line was opened in 1904.
At the turn of the century many houses were overcrowded and lacked full amenities. As late as 1971 25% of Kensal Green housing lacked full amenities. Not enough attempts to redevelop the area in the 1950s–1970s were made, and even those met with strong local opposition. This saved Kensal Green's many Victorian houses all of which by now have been renovated.
An Overview of Renting Residential Property
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Residential property ownership is the biggest capital outlay most people ever make. For people who have made this commitment and find themselves, for numerous reasons, in a position where their property is vacant for a period of time, or who have residential property and wish to have an income from it, then letting out their property can be, if managed correctly, a very useful source of income.
Our Renting Service
We aim to make sure that residential property letting maximises benefits to both parties in a worry free relationship.
As an independent lettings agency we can provide the type of personal service that this warrants.
We treat every property as if it were our own home, by amongst many other things:
• Matching suitable properties to tenants and vice-versa.
• Manoeuvre through complex legislation affecting property renting and letting.
• Deal immediately with any unforeseeable events which always occur - before, during and after occupation.
• Make regular visits to check on the state of the rental property.
• Negotiate terms of tenancy, ensuring any special requirements (e.g. pets) are agreed by all parties prior to rental contracts being signed
Above all, our rentals service is based around one principle:-
"We treat our tenants as if it were we ourselves renting a home, and our properties as if they were our own home"
What do I need to budget for apart from rent?
You'll probably need a deposit of between 4-6 weeks rent. You may also be asked to give a holding deposit once you confirm your wish to rent a certain property. This would normally be deducted from the first rental payment. You may also have to pay an administration charge.
Who pays for utilities - is it included in the rent?
Normally the tenant takes over the utilities on moving into the property. The only exception to this the water. Unless it metered a lot of letting agents advise their landlord clients to pay for this.
Who should fix items that need repairing in the property?
The landlord should fix any appliances that need repairing. However tenants are responsible for breakages. A tenant should report repairs as soon as they become aware
No. Your privacy is respected. If you rent through an agent it is not usual that either the landlord or letting agent will try to gain access to the property outside pre agreed times. For example, the agent will want to inspect the property at least 2 times during the tenancy. They should give you reasonable notice of this. This area is normally covered in the tenancy agreement signed by you and agent.
Does it matter which letting agent I rent through?
Yes and no. To ensure you receive a professional service its best to choose an agent who is a member of ARLA. They ensure that the let is handled properly. An ARLA agent works to professional standards that work well for both landlord and tenant. For example, the tenant renting by an ARLA agent can expect that the landlord carry out safety checks e.g. gas, electricity etc. The correct tenancy agreement will be used, ensuring that responsibilities are clearly set down and privacy of the tenant is adequate. An ARLA agent will also have proper procedures for reporting and dealing with repairs.
Most lets are for 12 months. However some letting agents are now offering shorter periods of between 6 and 3 months. Shorter lets are harder to find.
If I want to leave can I give notice at any time during the tenancy?
If you give notice earlier you'll be liable to pay the rent until the end of the tenancy. However, when drawing up agreements you could negotiate a break clause entitling you to give notice after 6 months. This would mean you'd be liable for the rent for the notice period of 2 months - releasing you from the remaining 4 months on a 12 month tenancy.
Can I stop paying rent if the landlord does not carry out repairs needed?
This is a dangerous tactic because you would be in breach of the tenancy agreement and the landlord could take you to court. However, it would be worth taking advice if an important repair needed such as a broken shower or washing machine is not dealt with. A tenant should not stop paying the rent they are satisfied that it is due to the landlord and not delay on the part of the agent or contractors. Some agents ask for repairs to be reported in writing - this avoids ambiguity.
When do I get my deposit back?
Usually after the property has been inspected at the end of the tenancy. If there are any damages the tenant and landlord will have to agree what sum is deductible. There is no set law on when deposits have to be returned. We encourage landlords to make the process as fair as possible by having a professional inventory carried out by us. A report is prepared at the beginning of the tenancy recording the condition of the property interior, and then again at the end of the tenancy.
What type of agreement is used? Can I add things I want agreed?
An assured shorthold tenancy is used for a 6 to 12 month let. This is normally a standard contract between landlord and tenant. If you agree that landlord will provide extras such as furnishings like a bed you should ask that a rider be attached to the agreement to this effect. The landlord is not obliged to carry out promises so the rider is advisable.
Who do I deal with - the letting agent or landlord?
The letting agent will deal with the property viewings, references, agreements and getting you moved in. From that point on contact depends on whether the landlord pays ffields to manage their property. If the property is managed you will normally report any repairs or queries to ffields - otherwise you will deal with the landlord direct.
Renting Property In Pimlico, Victoria, Westminster, Knightsbridge, Mayfair, Belgravia
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