Ramsey is a market town in Huntingdonshire, Cambridgeshire, located 13 miles south-east of Peterborough and 10 miles north of Huntingdon on the B1040 and B1096 roads. The town sits within the Cambridgeshire Fens and benefits from proximity to both Peterborough's major employment base and Huntingdon's business park, retail, and professional services economy. The East Midlands Railway mainline serves Huntingdon (10 miles) with direct trains to London King's Cross in under 60 minutes. Entry prices for terraced and semi-detached properties range from £130,000–£230,000 with gross yields of 7–10%. Huntingdonshire 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 Ramsey, abolishing Section 21, converting all new lets to periodic tenancies from day one, and requiring mandatory Property Portal registration and PRS Ombudsman membership.
Huntingdonshire District Council landlord licensing
Licensing requirements for Ramsey landlords:
- Huntingdonshire 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 Huntingdonshire 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 Huntingdonshire District Council's website before letting
Renters' Rights Act 2025 — key obligations for Ramsey landlords
From 1 May 2026, all residential tenancies in England including Ramsey 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 Ramsey 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
- Ramsey's Huntingdonshire Fenland housing stock includes inter-war, post-war, and some Victorian construction — commission a fresh RdSAP 10 assessment to plan Band C improvements
- If improvement costs exceed the proposed £15,000 cost cap without reaching Band C, register a cost cap exemption on the PRS Exemptions Register
- Post-1990 properties in Ramsey are likely closer to Band C and may need only minor efficiency improvements
Gas and electrical safety
Safety certificate requirements for Ramsey 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 Ramsey not certified within the past 5 years should be prioritised for EICR
Deposit protection
Tenancy deposit obligations for Ramsey 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 Ramsey's rent levels the 5 weeks cap is unlikely to present a practical constraint for most tenancies
- Failure to protect on time prevents valid Section 8 service and exposes the landlord to a penalty of 1–3 times the deposit
Ramsey investment case
Buy-to-let fundamentals for Ramsey investors:
- Gross yields of 7–10% on entry prices of £130,000–£230,000 — strong for a Huntingdonshire Fenland town with dual Peterborough and Huntingdon/London employment access
- Huntingdon (10 miles) provides East Midlands Railway mainline services to London King's Cross in under 60 minutes — covering a wide professional commuter catchment
- Peterborough (13 miles via B1040) provides access to the city's logistics, distribution, manufacturing, retail, and NHS employment base
- Affordable Huntingdonshire Fens entry prices significantly below Cambridge and St Neots markets attract tenants and investors seeking high-yield Cambridgeshire assets
- No selective licensing removes a compliance layer — stable dual-corridor employment demand supports consistent occupancy
Frequently asked questions
Does Ramsey have selective licensing?+
No. Huntingdonshire 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 Huntingdonshire District Council before letting.
When does the Renters' Rights Act apply to Ramsey landlords?+
The Renters' Rights Act 2025 came into force on 1 May 2026 and applies to all private rented properties in England, including Ramsey. 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 Ramsey 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 for your Ramsey property. Register a cost cap exemption if improvement costs exceed £15,000.
Is Ramsey a good buy-to-let location?+
Ramsey offers 7–10% gross yields on entry prices of £130,000–£230,000. Huntingdon rail access to London King's Cross (under 60 min), Peterborough employment 13 miles away, and no selective licensing make it a strong dual-corridor Huntingdonshire Fenland investment.