Chatteris is a market town in Fenland district, Cambridgeshire, positioned at the heart of the Cambridgeshire Fens midway between March (13 miles north) and Ely (16 miles south) on the A141 road. The town draws from a wide Fenland catchment — agricultural, horticultural, and food processing employment to the north, and the Ely and Cambridge commuter corridor to the south. The Ely to Peterborough railway line (Ely station 16 miles south) provides access to Cambridge in 20 minutes from Ely. Entry prices for terraced and semi-detached properties range from £105,000–£195,000 with gross yields of 8–11%. Fenland District Council does not currently operate a selective licensing scheme.
The Renters' Rights Act 2025 (in force 1 May 2026) applies to all private rented properties in England including Chatteris, abolishing Section 21, converting all new lets to periodic tenancies from day one, and requiring mandatory Property Portal registration and PRS Ombudsman membership.
Fenland District Council landlord licensing
Licensing requirements for Chatteris landlords:
- Fenland District Council does not currently operate a selective licensing scheme — always verify the current position with the council before letting
- Mandatory HMO licensing applies nationally to properties with 5 or more persons from 2 or more households — apply to Fenland District Council
- HMO licence conditions include minimum room sizes, fire detection, annual gas safety certificate, 5-yearly EICR, and deposit protection
- The Renters' Rights Act 2025 Property Portal and PRS Ombudsman registration (mandatory from 1 May 2026) are additional to any local licensing
- Selective licensing can be introduced by any council with 10 weeks' consultation notice — check Fenland District Council's website before letting
Renters' Rights Act 2025 — key obligations for Chatteris landlords
From 1 May 2026, all residential tenancies in England including Chatteris operate under the Renters' Rights Act 2025:
- Section 21 no-fault evictions abolished — all possessions must use a statutory ground from the new Schedule 2 of the Housing Act 1988
- Fixed-term tenancies cannot be granted for new lets from 1 May 2026 — all tenancies are periodic from the first day
- Tenants can end any tenancy with two months' written notice at any time
- Property Portal registration is mandatory before any property can be let — the Portal opens 1 May 2026
- PRS Ombudsman membership is mandatory from 1 May 2026 for all private landlords in England
- Rent increases must use the statutory Section 13 notice — contractual rent review clauses have no effect
Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) requirements
EPC compliance for Chatteris landlords:
- Current minimum: EPC Band E — properties below Band E cannot be let without a valid PRS Exemptions Register entry
- EPC Band C is confirmed government policy for 2030 — new lets from 2028 are likely to require Band C
- Chatteris's Fenland housing stock includes inter-war and post-war brick construction as well as older properties — commission a fresh RdSAP 10 assessment to identify the most cost-effective Band C route
- If improvement costs exceed the proposed £15,000 cost cap without reaching Band C, register a cost cap exemption on the PRS Exemptions Register
- Cavity-wall properties built 1930–1980 are generally easiest to improve — solid-wall older stock requires more investment
Gas and electrical safety
Safety certificate requirements for Chatteris rental properties:
- Annual gas safety check (CP12) by a Gas Safe registered engineer — mandatory under the Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998
- CP12 must be provided to new tenants before occupation and to existing tenants within 28 days of each annual check
- Five-yearly EICR — mandatory for all private rented properties in England; code C1/C2 defects must be fixed within 28 days
- Smoke alarms required on every storey; carbon monoxide alarms in every room with a gas appliance
- Properties in Chatteris not certified within the past 5 years should be prioritised for EICR
Deposit protection
Tenancy deposit obligations for Chatteris landlords:
- All deposits must be protected in a government-approved scheme — DPS, myDeposits or TDS — within 30 days of receipt
- Prescribed Information must be served on the tenant within 30 days of receiving the deposit
- Maximum deposit: 5 weeks' rent for annual rents under £50,000; 6 weeks' rent for annual rents over £50,000
- At Chatteris's rent levels the 5 weeks cap is very unlikely to present a practical constraint
- Failure to protect on time prevents valid Section 8 service and exposes the landlord to a penalty of 1–3 times the deposit
Chatteris investment case
Buy-to-let fundamentals for Chatteris investors:
- Gross yields of 8–11% on entry prices of £105,000–£195,000 — strong for a central Cambridgeshire Fens market town with dual employment access south to Ely/Cambridge and north to March/Peterborough
- A141 road corridor connects Chatteris to March (13 miles) and Ely (16 miles) — Ely provides rail to Cambridge in 20 minutes and Peterborough in 40 minutes
- Fenland's food processing, logistics, and agricultural sectors generate consistent tenant demand for affordable Fenland properties
- Significantly more affordable than Ely and Cambridge — Chatteris offers high yields for investors priced out of the main Cambridge commuter belt
- No selective licensing removes a compliance layer — stable Fenland employment and Cambridge commuter fringe demand support consistent occupancy
Frequently asked questions
Does Chatteris have selective licensing?+
No. Fenland District Council does not currently operate a selective licensing scheme. Mandatory HMO licensing applies nationally to properties with 5 or more persons from 2 or more households. Always verify with Fenland District Council before letting.
When does the Renters' Rights Act apply to Chatteris landlords?+
The Renters' Rights Act 2025 came into force on 1 May 2026 and applies to all private rented properties in England, including Chatteris. Section 21 is abolished, all new lets are periodic, and landlords must register on the Property Portal and join the PRS Ombudsman.
What EPC band does my Chatteris rental property need?+
Currently Band E is the minimum. The Government has confirmed Band C as the target by 2030. Commission an RdSAP 10 assessment to identify the most cost-effective route to Band C. Cavity-wall inter-war and post-war properties are generally easier to improve than solid-wall older stock. Register a cost cap exemption if improvement costs exceed £15,000.
Is Chatteris a good buy-to-let location?+
Chatteris offers 8–11% gross yields on entry prices of £105,000–£195,000. A141 access to Ely (16 miles, rail to Cambridge in 20 min), Fenland agricultural employment, and no selective licensing make it a high-yield Cambridgeshire Fens option significantly more affordable than the Cambridge commuter belt.