Renters Rights Act 2026: key facts and timelines for landlords

If you happen to be in Kennington when the Division Bell rings at Westminster, you could be in for a surprise. As the warning sounds, alerting Members of Parliament to vote within eight minutes, you might see a few Kennington-based MPs rushing towards Vauxhall Bridge.

These MPs live in the ‘Division Bell zone’, an area close enough to Westminster for MPs to attend parliament at short notice. This simple fact tells you all you need to know about Kennington’s deep connections to the heart of London.

Kennington boasts some fine architecture – old and new – together with a world-class sports facility in the form of the Kia Oval cricket ground. The area is highly prized by young professionals and families alike, as it combines village charm with easy access to central London.

As any Kennington lifestyle guide will tell you, there is a strong community spirit here, supported by friendly pubs, welcoming restaurants, arty fringe theatres and cosy cafes.

Kennington began as a medieval village, built to serve a palace owned by Edward of Woodstock, otherwise known as the Black Prince. Today he is remembered by a popular pub of that name. In Georgian times elegant houses were built here (the finest examples can be seen in West Square and Cleaver Square).

In turn, the Victorians created handsome, brick built homes which have also stood the test of time. Particularly attractive examples can be found in Ravensdon and Methley Streets: an area now affectionately dubbed ‘Methravia’ by locals.

While Kennington’s period properties have always proved popular, exciting new developments are now springing up. Oval Village, The Wilderly and Imperial Gardens, together with many smaller residential projects, provide stylish, energy-efficient homes. 

Kennington has undoubtedly benefited from the regeneration of its neighbours. Until recently its proximity to down-at-heel areas such as Nine Elms and Elephant and Castle was viewed as a disadvantage by investors.

In the past few years, however, both districts have undergone a dramatic transformation. Nine Elms, with the newly refurbished Battersea Power Station at its core, has become a sought-after destination. The re-located American Embassy, which opened in 2018, has introduced a significant number of American citizens to the area. At the same time, Elephant and Castle has removed its tired, post-war concrete buildings to re-emerge as a modern, people-friendly town centre. 

According to Rightmove, the average cost of a property in Kennington over the past year was £611,729, with an average rent costing £1,833 per calendar month. Earlier this year, a five-bedroom house in popular Ravensdon Street sold for £1,895,000, while two one-bedroom flats in Kennington Park Road sold for £310,000 and £330,000 respectively. 

Forecasts suggest that Kennington will go on to enjoy steady growth due to its location and the growing demand for rental properties in central London.

The award-winning Kennington Park offers fifteen hectares of landscaped green space with its own busy cafe, a safe children’s play area and sports facilities. Residents can also benefit from community schemes such as Criss Cross Active.

The Kia Oval cricket ground is a magnet for sports fans from all over the world. It is keen to promote community engagement and youth development and offers special benefits for members.

Kennington’s location, close to central London, means that local families enjoy access to some of the best schools, colleges and universities in the world. 

There are also good local options for parents, from the highly rated Ashmole Primary School to the ‘Outstanding’ Ark Bolingbroke Academy (the globally renowned Westminster School is just over the river). 

Further education establishments available locally include the London College of Communication (LCC) at Elephant and Castle and the South Bank University in Waterloo. The London School of Economics (LSE) is also within easy reach.

The Northern Line underground route splits at Kennington and bisects London, calling at two major railway stations with direct lines to Scotland, northern England and Europe (via the Eurostar rail link). One line heads to the city of London and Kings Cross, while the other calls at West End destinations such as Leicester Square and Tottenham Court Road. Both lines converge again at Euston Station.

Local buses serve Westminster, Paddington, Clapham and Elephant and Castle.

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