Cavendish is a picturesque village in the Babergh district of Suffolk, situated on the River Stour between Sudbury and Clare. The village is known for its thatched and colour-washed cottages on the village green, attracting tenants seeking quintessential English countryside living. Babergh District Council is the responsible local authority; no selective or additional licensing scheme is currently in operation.
From 2026, Cavendish landlords must comply with the Renters' Rights Act 2025. Section 21 no-fault evictions are abolished, all tenancies become periodic from the outset, and a mandatory national Property Portal requires landlord registration. Safety certificates — EPC, gas safety record, and EICR — must be valid and provided to tenants before any tenancy begins.
EPC Requirements in Cavendish
Rental properties in Cavendish must hold a valid EPC rated Band E or above. The village's characterful thatched and timber-framed cottages are particularly vulnerable to low EPC ratings, as traditional construction methods and thatched roofs complicate standard insulation upgrades. Landlords should obtain an up-to-date EPC and register any valid exemption if applicable before marketing the property.
- Minimum EPC rating: Band E
- EPC valid for 10 years from assessment date
- Must be provided to tenants before or on move-in
- Band F and G properties cannot be let without a registered PRS exemption
Gas Safety in Cavendish Rentals
Cavendish landlords with gas appliances in their rental properties must arrange an annual Gas Safety Check by a Gas Safe registered engineer. The Gas Safety Record (CP12) must be given to new tenants before the tenancy begins and to existing tenants within 28 days of each annual check.
- Annual Gas Safety Check required
- Engineer must be Gas Safe registered
- Records kept for at least two years
- Non-compliance is a criminal offence
Electrical Safety (EICR) in Cavendish
All privately rented properties in Cavendish require an Electrical Installation Condition Report every five years. The inspection must be conducted by a qualified electrician. C1 and C2 defects must be fixed within 28 days. Copies must be given to tenants and provided to Babergh District Council on request.
- EICR every five years
- Must be conducted by a qualified electrician
- C1/C2 defects remedied within 28 days
- New tenants must receive a copy before move-in
Deposit Protection in Cavendish
Deposits taken from Cavendish tenants must be protected in a government-approved Tenancy Deposit Scheme within 30 days. Prescribed Information must be served on all named tenants within the same 30-day window. Non-compliance risks fines of up to three times the deposit amount.
- Protect within 30 days of receiving the deposit
- Approved schemes: DPS, MyDeposits, TDS
- Serve Prescribed Information on all named tenants
- Penalties: up to 3× deposit for non-compliance
Renters' Rights Act 2025 — Cavendish
The Renters' Rights Act 2025 abolishes Section 21 no-fault evictions and replaces fixed-term tenancies with periodic agreements from the outset. Cavendish landlords must use Section 8 grounds for possession, register on the national Property Portal, and join a landlord redress scheme. The Decent Homes Standard is also extended to private rentals.
- Section 21 abolished — Section 8 grounds required
- Periodic tenancies from start of every agreement
- Property Portal registration mandatory
- Landlord redress scheme membership required
- Decent Homes Standard extended to private sector
Frequently asked questions
Does Cavendish have selective licensing?+
No. Babergh District Council does not currently operate a selective or additional licensing scheme in Cavendish. Mandatory HMO licensing applies nationally to properties occupied by five or more people from two or more separate households.
What EPC band is required in Cavendish?+
Band E is the current legal minimum. Thatched and listed properties may qualify for a PRS exemption if improvements would unacceptably alter the character of the building — but the exemption must be registered.
How often do I need a gas safety check in Cavendish?+
Every 12 months. A Gas Safe registered engineer issues the Gas Safety Record. New tenants must receive a copy before the tenancy commences.
Is Section 21 still available in Cavendish?+
No. The Renters' Rights Act 2025 abolished Section 21 no-fault evictions across England. You must use Section 8 with a valid statutory ground to recover possession in Cavendish.