Cotton is a village and civil parish in Mid Suffolk, situated in open agricultural countryside north of Stowmarket. The village has a modest private rental market, characterised by traditional Suffolk cottages and rural dwellings. Mid Suffolk District Council is the responsible local authority; no selective or additional licensing scheme is currently in place.
From 2026, Cotton 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 current and provided to tenants before any tenancy commences.
EPC Requirements in Cotton
Rental properties in Cotton must hold a valid EPC rated Band E or above. The village's older rural housing stock may require insulation or heating upgrades to meet this threshold. Landlords should obtain a current EPC before letting and provide a copy to tenants before or on move-in day.
- 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 legally let without a registered PRS exemption
Gas Safety in Cotton
Cotton landlords with gas appliances must arrange an annual Gas Safety Check by a Gas Safe registered engineer. The resulting Gas Safety Record (CP12) must be given to new tenants before the tenancy starts and to existing tenants within 28 days of each annual renewal.
- Annual Gas Safety Check required
- Must use a Gas Safe registered engineer
- Records retained for at least two years
- Non-compliance is a criminal offence
Electrical Safety (EICR) in Cotton
All privately rented properties in Cotton require an Electrical Installation Condition Report every five years. The inspection must be carried out by a qualified electrician; C1 and C2 defects must be remedied within 28 days. Landlords must give copies to tenants and to Mid Suffolk District Council on request.
- EICR every five years
- Qualified electrician must carry out the inspection
- C1 and C2 defects remedied within 28 days
- New tenants must receive the EICR before move-in
Deposit Protection in Cotton
Deposits from Cotton tenants must be placed in a government-approved Tenancy Deposit Scheme within 30 days of receipt. Prescribed Information must be served on all named tenants within the same period. Non-compliance risks fines of up to three times the deposit value.
- Protect within 30 days of receiving the deposit
- Approved schemes: DPS, MyDeposits, TDS
- Serve Prescribed Information on all named tenants
- Penalty for non-compliance: up to 3× deposit
Renters' Rights Act 2025 — Cotton Landlords
The Renters' Rights Act 2025 abolishes Section 21 no-fault evictions and replaces fixed-term tenancies with periodic agreements from the outset. Cotton landlords must use updated Section 8 grounds for possession, register on the national Property Portal, and join a landlord redress scheme. The Decent Homes Standard applies 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 Cotton Suffolk have selective licensing?+
No. Mid Suffolk District Council does not currently operate a selective or additional licensing scheme in Cotton. Mandatory HMO licensing applies nationally where five or more unrelated people share a property.
What EPC band is required in Cotton?+
Band E is the current legal minimum. Properties rated F or G cannot be legally let without a valid exemption registered on the PRS Exemptions Register.
How often do I need a gas safety check in Cotton?+
Every 12 months. A Gas Safe registered engineer carries out the check and issues the Gas Safety Record. New tenants must receive a copy before the tenancy commences.
Is Section 21 still available in Cotton?+
No. The Renters' Rights Act 2025 abolished Section 21 no-fault evictions across England. Cotton landlords must rely on Section 8 grounds to recover possession.